25th Hour

A quoi utiliser sa derniere journee de liberte avant d'aller croupir en prison pendant sept ans ? Voila en substance la question que pose ce film a travers l'histoire de Monty Brogan, riche et puissant trafiquant de drogue que la police a fini par arreter.

Dans la lignee d'un Tarantino plus cerebral et plus politique, Spike Lee fait de 25th Hour un film puissant, a l'esthetique urbaine. Une mise en scene audacieuse – soutenue par un eclairage stylise, des cadrages originaux et une trame narrative comptant sur l'intelligence de son spectateur – sert une riche reflexion sur la redemption, sur le lache instinct de l'homme de repousser la faute sur les autres. En soufflant sans cesse le chaud et le froid, Lee semble avoir retrouve le ton qui a fait son succes, un melange d'humour, de drame et de poesie. Servi par un Edward Norton de plus en plus convaincant, 25th Hour remet tout simplement Spike Lee sur la carte des realisateurs qui font avancer le cinema. --Helen Faradji

With a great cast of actors and people telling me how great this movie was, I think I just came in expecting to much. I was very disappointed...


This IS the best movie I have ever seen, and I've seen a few   June 19, 2004
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

25th Hour... A lot of people have already posted reviews of this movie. Some loved it, some hated it. I am in the first category- although it is dark, tense and slow-paced, 25th Hour riveted me from the first scene, where Monty Brogan rescues the abused dog.
I love Edward Norton. Not only is he an incredibly talented actor, but I find his looks very appealing. He's not a pretty boy or a hunk, yet he has major appeal, and yes, he has definitely got a nice build. But most importantly, he has a way of using facial expressions that is irresistable. Fight Club was a great movie, and he is a great actor, but this has to be his finest work to date. I bought 25th Hour because he stars in it, and I loved it because he made the movie. It was well directed in my opinion, and the supporting cast were wonderful, but if it had starred anyone else, 25th Hour would likely have been something not worth watching. Even a well directed film with a great supporting cast can fail if the lead is miscast. In this case, casting was spot-on.
Edward Norton IS Monty Brogan for 25th Hour.
If for just a few scenes, this movie would be worth watching- Monty's f*ck-you rant to the mirror in the bathroom of his father's bar, the scene where his apartment is searched by the DEA, the interrogation scene, the scene between Naturelle (Rosario Dawson) and Francis (Barry Pepper), the 'make me ugly scene'- these scenes could have made a mediocre movie great. But the movie was already great- these scenes made it unforgettable. I watch it once, and as the end credits roll I immediately want to watch it again. That is what denotes a great movie- I'll never tire of 25th Hour. And on top of everything else this movie has the all time BEST pick-up scene- the 18 year old Catholic school girl-looking Naturelle meets for the first time that cute older Irish guy, Monty Brogan.
I think Rosario Dawson was underrated in this film- she comes across to me as a caring girlfriend, and she proves herself as a GREAT actress when she portrays the younger Naturelle- that WAS an 18 year old girl we were seeing. Plus her scene at the club with Barry Pepper is really great.
I bought 25th Hour sight unseen because Edward Norton was in it, and ended up getting the best movie I've yet seen. I intend to buy the DVD as soon as I can. Buy this film. Don't listen to those who will try to discredit it, it is a great movie and a wonderful vehicle for the acting talents of our Edward Norton.

Chornyi


Nothing really happens   May 14, 2004
William (Australia)
25th Hour has some enjoyable elements, and works in a special way. A man is sentenced to jail, and is allowed time on the outside to say goodbye. Naturally he reflects on what might have been, and also questions his friendships. I found the film had alot of hidden meanings, but it did lose some credibility with the freedom aspect. I dont know what it is like in America, but if you were sentenced to jail for being a drug dealer in Australia, you would be kept in custody beforehand for weeks.

I have to admit it was difficult to feel compassion for Norton since his character is that of a drug dealer. Perhaps if he was being sentenced for something different, it might have helped gain my compassion.

Worth seeing, even if it is rather depressing at times.