Review of 25th Hour (2002) by Shubh P — 27 Apr 2011

25th Hour is underrated if the word ever existed. Through an intelligent screenplay, brilliant performances, and most of all, the direction by Spike Lee, one of the most talented filmmakers since Martin Scorsese.

Lee often gets a bad rep due to his public cries and the idea that he makes films about race. Well, just see 25th Hour. 25th Hour is not about race relations in New York City. It's not about a man who does bad things and finds redemption.

It's not about a man who destroyed himself. It's just about a person who made a mistake, and has to deal with it in the worst way. Through the period of a single day, and through what may appear to be arbitrary subplots, everything the audience needs to know about Norton's character is rendered in the least obvious, and most poignant of ways.

He has done bad things, and he frankly deserves to go to prison, but the effect it has on him is demonstrated through one of the best character studies in movie history. Norton walks the streets of New York, running from one subplot to another, meandering around.

Why? Because that's all he can do at this point. He can find the guy who sold him out. He can yell at the mirror in frustration. He can try to patch up relations with his father. He can hang out with or get mad at his friends.

His friends commit crimes but go free while he is punished. And, just like the 9/11 metaphors at the corners of the film, nothing will ever be the same again. His situation is unfair, life-shattering, and there is nothing he can do about it.

All he can do is meander and waste his time, as this time when life is as it is, will only last for 24 hours. Once he's gone, it's gone. And making it as bright as you can, trying to tie up lose ends, and learning about yourself isn't going to change it.

Just like the city who's streets he walks on to waste time, nothing will be the same once its over.