Review of 25th Hour (2002) by Jack S — 26 Aug 2009

Here's a movie where the overall effect is better than the sum of its parts. The performances are all solid if a bit too subdued in spots. (Especially Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Edward Norton, except for his terrific Travis Bickle-esque "fuck you" monologue.) And the dialogue is a tad flat on occasion.

On the bright side, Brian Cox turns in some solid work as the dad. Terence Blanchard's score--with almost a 70's feel--adds a lot to the proceedings, giving us the sense we're watching an American tragedy unfold. An it is interestingly told, on the final day before Norton's incarceration, with ample flashbacks. It is a story of crime and punishment, and how we are all sinners in our own way.

But the thing that truly sticks out--especially 7 years after its release (hmmm, Norton's character should just be getting out of the Big House around now)--this is Spike Lee's Sept. 11 movie. While the plot doesn't explicitly relate to those events, reminders are everywhere: Tributes to firefighters in Cox's bar, the Ground Zero hole below Barry Pepper's apartment, Bin Laden getting a shout-out in Norton's rant, and the flags, flags everywhere, those inescapable flags. Spike Lee perfectly captures the New York City of that first year afterward, and it absolutely adds another layer to this film, a coating of sadness. Topping that off is Springsteen's "The Fuse" from the Rising album playing over the end credits (with a nice added string arrangement from Blanchard).

A couple of extra touches I really liked: Nice treat to see The Wire's Clay Davis twice deliver his trademark "Sheeeeee-it." And "Cavern" by my boys Liquid Liquid featured prominently in the club scene. Go Sal!