25th Hour

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25th Hour

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25th Hour

Al Palagonia, Anna Paquin, Barry Pepper, Brian Cox, Edward Norton

The clock is ticking on Monty Brogan's freedom--in 24 hours he goes to prison for seven long years. Once a king of Manhattan, Monty is about to say goodbye to the life he knew--a life that opened door...( read more  read more... )s in New York's swankiest clubs but also alienated him from the people closest to him. In his last day on the outside, Monty tries to reconnect with his father, who's never given up on his son, and gets together with his two closest friends from the old days, Jacob and Slaughtery. Also in the mix is his girlfriend, Naturelle, who (or might not) have been the one who tipped off the cops. Monty's not sure of much these days. But with time running out, there are a lot of choices to be made.

Id: 10484699

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25th Hour Recent Reviews
  • SirPant
    September 3, 2009
    SirPant
    A very dramatic opening leads to a very powerful yet subtle film. Its the best post 9/11 that doesn't so much deal with the actually disaster itself but acts as a social commentary to the atmosphere in New York at that time, albeit through the eyes of a condemned man, trying to r...( read more)ight his wrongs before facing time in jail. Powerful stuff.
  • QueenCityFilms
    January 3, 2009
    QueenCityFilms
    Edward Norton is a virtuoso...the "fuck you" rant was awesome
  • irisheyes686
    December 24, 2008
    irisheyes686
    I really liked this movie. The cast was great, and Ed Norton is incredibly sexy. Of course the Irish aspect is always good too :)
  • mrpopcorn
    October 29, 2008
    mrpopcorn
    A Spike Lee joint with some attitude. The story is about a guy named Montgomery Brogan (Norton) who is convicted of drug charges, reevaluates his life in the 24 remaining hours before facing long, long jail term. Director Spike Lee takes the film into a whole new level of pain, a...( read more)nger, regret, depression and how fucked up the world can be.

    Acting's top-notch all around. Philip Seymour Hoffman portrays the slurred slo-mo of drunkenness wonderfully, it's too bad my only complaint with the film is that his relationship with his student could have used more of a resolution. But perhaps the whole point is that it's left open. Hoffman's conversation in front of the window with Barry Pepper, who definitely holds his own, is just amazing. And of course, there's Edward Norton's f*ck-you salute to New York, which speaks for itself.
  • PvtCaboose91
    August 13, 2008
    PvtCaboose91
    "No. No. Fuck you, Montgomery Brogan. You had it all, and you threw it away, you dumb fuck!"


    Director Spike Lee is an interesting filmmaker. Throughout his lucrative career, Lee has created several films that deeply explore and comment not solely on the respective ma

    ...( read more)jor characters but also the settings they inhabit. 25th Hour is a multi-layered, elegiac tale of regret, missed opportunity, anger, soul-searching and self-loathing. The film is permeated with profound emotion and rich themes regarding friendship, accountability and masculinity.

    Spike Lee perfectly captures the depressive atmosphere of New York City following the devastating 9/11 attacks. Much of the emotion is derived from the gloomy post-9/11 ambiance of downtown NYC, emphasised and highlighted by a key scene set in an apartment overlooking Ground Zero. The film's power is again underscored by the potency of the music: never is it overbearing...the composer keeps the music toned down but unfathomably effective. Director Lee endeavours to include many things in the film, not the least of which is portraying how New York's residents are survivors at heart. This, coupled with the various subtle metaphors and the incredible filmmaking in all aspects, is what makes this Spike Lee's greatest masterpiece.

    25th Hour is a story about a drug dealer's search for redemption in his final hours of freedom. Monty Brogan (Norton) has been resigned to a nasty fate. He was found in possession of illegal drugs, and will soon be spending seven years in a maximum security prison. On bail for 24 hours, Monty endeavours to get his affairs in order. As he walks the streets, Monty begins to reflect on his life and how he got into the inescapable situation. Monty attempts to reconnect with his father (Cox) who cannot shake the reality that he is somewhat responsible for his son's fate. Monty also gets together with his girlfriend Naturelle (Dawson) and his two closest friends: Jake (Hoffman) and Frank (Pepper). Even more crucial, Monty cannot avoid the mystery swirling around in his brain of who ratted him out.

    The simple plot is just the tip of the iceberg: Spike Lee and screenwriter David Benioff (who adapts his original novel) have woven together a multi-faceted, lamented story that creates engrossing viewing. Director Spike Lee adds a tangible level of anguish to the experience with his decision to not simply set the film in post-9/11 NYC, but also to give the consequences of that tragedy a prominent place in the story. The tone is intentionally depressing. Any sense of hope is deficient - none of the characters care much about the future, merely because, in their differing individual ways, they basically have no future to look towards.

    The film's moral standpoint is deliberately ambiguous: while Monty is indubitably guilty of dealing drugs, in no way is he a violent or malicious man - in fact he's quite the opposite as demonstrated in the opening scene during which he rescues a dog that he finds lying in the street, tortured and close to death. Monty also sincerely cares about his girlfriend Naturelle and is never abusive; he also genuinely cares for his father and his friends. However with his contented life effectively terminated, he must decide what to do: running is an option...so is suicide...and both hold some appeal in comparison to what he expects in gaol.

    Monty's furious tirade against every ethnic and minority group in the city is probably the most oblique acclamation New Yorkers have ever received. Furthermore, Edward Norton's performance is superb. This is probably the best we've seen him in since American History X: he's believable, unflinching and realistic.
    However, the best performance is undeniably delivered by Barry Pepper. The actor is probably best known for his portrayal of the religious sniper in Saving Private Ryan, with a few small-known performances here and there. Pepper's every scene has you engaged and fixated. From his bloodshot eyes gawking at the stock market numbers tumbling past on his computer monitor, to the tragic scene by the river, Pepper emanates a dominant screen presence.
    Phillip Seymour Hoffman brilliantly portrays the shy English teacher. Like all the other characters, he's three-dimensional and dosed in a realistic edge.
    Rosario Dawson and Anna Paquin are passable as the females of the cast, with a minor appearance of the always reliable Brian Cox.

    In essence, 25th Hour is a profoundly intense drama that somehow manages to grasp your undivided attention with the realistic panorama and gripping atmosphere. We're reeled in as Monty must look deep within himself, weigh up his sins and pay his dues before redemption can be earned. All of which makes 25th Hour one of Lee's more thought-provoking and judicious works. However the film isn't entirely well focused and this is a major shortcoming. It strives extraordinarily hard to be various things and serve many causes, in the end compelling the viewer to wonder what much of the content was about. Nonetheless, this causes little irreparable damage, and the film's overall effect remains untouched with its story absorbing. In the end, that's all that truly matters.
    The film is still a captivating and enlightening glimpse into the personal drama of a confessed lowlife. It will inspire you to look past the pretty pictures and consider the many metaphors underneath. The 130 minutes in its running time simply flies by. Perhaps some of the sub-plots grow rather preposterous and unnecessary, but the film is deep and gratifying. The final ambiguous montage that closes the film in particular really hits home.
  • kunam88
    December 6, 2009
    kunam88
    before watching this,i always thought that INSIDE MAN is Spike Lee's best movie of this decade.but now,not anymore. This is his best of the 2000's,if not of all his film (i haven't seen his classic,DO THE RIGHT THING yet).

    This ode to post 9/11 new york city is a powerful,profou...( read more)nd,and a touching film. Edward Norton,though still far from his best work in the 90's (American History X,Primal Fear) did enough to show the fragility of the main character.Love that "FUCK YOU!" monologue scene,and that open-ended and ambigous ending. and don't forget that Terence Blanchard emotional score..
  • doglover000000
    December 1, 2009
    doglover000000
    This is a brilliant film with a great message. Norton delivers a powerfall and emotional performance, a journey that was always going to fall to pieces. Although slow in parts, its a brilliant tale with some extremely great scenes. The bathroom rant is just one of the powerfully ...( read more)delivered message!
  • craigmcparland
    November 29, 2009
    craigmcparland
    powerful film but slow moving in parts and too much dialogue at times
  • sportsphenom1
    November 21, 2009
    sportsphenom1
    "There are decisions to be made in the 25th hour." This may be Norton's most impressive performance. In a deeply rooted conflicted role, Norton brings a lot of subtext to this captivating character. The visually striking film is rich in tone, with a resounding score to match.
  • spencerstilwell
    November 5, 2009
    spencerstilwell
    Quite possibly, and almost positively, Edward Norton's finest performance and most complex character. Although the film took place in a single day (w/ flashbacks), Spike Lee's message is immense. There are a few scenes which capture your attention entirely and Really have somethi...( read more)ng to say. Monty's bathroom solioquey is one of the strongest messages that I have ever seen in any film! The performances are inexplicably solid; ranging from Monty's closest friends and family to the cops who arrest him. P.S. Hoffman and Barry Pepper are equally top-notch.
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