The Event (2002)

43% of critics liked it
(47 reviews)
55% of users liked it
(1,140 ratings)

Canadian filmmaker Thom Fitzgerald directs the sentimental ensemble drama The Event. Nick (Parker Posey) is a district attorney investigating several deaths in the gay community of New York City's Chelsea District. It seems that many AIDS sufferers have died under similar mysterious circumstances.… More Canadian filmmaker Thom Fitzgerald directs the sentimental ensemble drama The Event. Nick (Parker Posey) is a district attorney investigating several deaths in the gay community of New York City's Chelsea District. It seems that many AIDS sufferers have died under similar mysterious circumstances. Each case suggest the use of assisted suicide, which is illegal in New York. HIV-infected cellist Matt (Don McKellar) has died of a drug overdose following a large party in Manhattan given by his family and friends. Nick first questions his lover Brian (Brent Carver), who runs an HIV support clinic. Still looking for answers, she interviews Matt's closest family members, including his mother Lila (Olympia Dukakis), his younger sister Dana (Sarah Polley), and his older sister Gaby (Joanna P. Adler). Meanwhile, Nick battles with her own past secrets involving her family back in New Jersey. The Event premiered at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Thom Fitzgerald
Written By: Thom Fitzgerald, Steven Hillyer, Tim Marback
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Oct 3, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Apr 13, 2004
Studio: ThinkFilm

Critic Reviews

Allison Benedikt, Chicago Tribune
To make a movie in 2003, one that centers around AIDS but ignores the epidemic's current culprit, Africa, and toys melodramatically with scenarios steeped in the filmmakers' selfish nostalgia without any real point, is to ask us not to think at all.
Charles Ealy, Dallas Morning News
The performances of Olympia Dukakis as Matt's mother and Sarah Polley as his sister elevate The Event from melodramatic claptrap to sensitive drama.
Janice Page, Boston Globe
A feminine hygiene commercial is by far the best thing here. Is that last item a curious thing to say about a film with such a weighty agenda? Exactly.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
Despite its impeccable acting and subtle backdrop of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, The Event lets its message overwhelm its emotion.
Bob Campbell, Newark Star-Ledger
Fails equally as lament and celebration.
Scott Brown, Entertainment Weekly
Aggressively drab and granular, the movie feels like a late-'80s AIDS passion play given an ill-fitting post-Sept. 11 makeover.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The superb performances by Olympia Dukakis and Don McKellar are what make this film rise above its limited but well-meaning script.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
[Deals] with extremely serious themes in a frank, honest and often humorous way.
David Foucher, EDGE Boston
Parker Posey and Olympia Dukakis lend their talents to an AIDS suicide film - it has its moments, but the death rattle comes from the genre, not from the central character.
Phoebe Flowers, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Most of the characters have no real life beyond representing various viewpoints.
Kim Morgan, Oregonian
The tedious film just plays out far too long with little new to say.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
The conversation about euthanasia is a good one to have, no argument here, so go have it instead.
David Noh, Film Journal International
An obviously well-intended, brutally earnest work which nonetheless repeatedly shoots itself in the foot through sheer ineptitude.
Jules Brenner, Cinema Signals
The intricate structure of the movie is well handled but its world is a stifling capsule. Dukakis is in a zone!
Chris Barsanti, Filmcritic.com
content with its own limited horizons

Read all 15 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Red L

A New York DA is investigating a suspicious suicide in the city's gay community. The movie turns into a debate on the pros and cons of assisted suicide. There are a few name actors in this movie (Olympia Dukakis, Sarah Polley, Parker Posey, etc.).

Cast

Parker Posey
as Nick
Olympia Dukakis
as Lila
Don McKellar
as Matt

Sarah Polley
as Dana
Brent Carver
as Brian
Jane Leeves
as Mona

See full cast

The Event (2002)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Red L

Cast