Everyone in America who was cognizant on 9/11 has a connection to the events of that day. Whether it be through family, friends, personal experiences or simply remembering where you were when you heard the news...it was a defining moment in American history. Although the story has nothing to do with 9/11, 25th Hour takes place in the aftermath of those events with heavy references and imagery. But that is not what captured my attention. Edward Norton, Bob Dixon and Philip Seymour Hoffman in a film together convinced me I should see this film.
Monty Brogan (Ed Norton) is a heroin dealer. His best friends are school teacher Jacob Elinsky (Hoffman) who is struggling with affections he feels toward a teenage student, and Frank Slaughtery (Barry Pepper), an overachieving wall streeter. 25th Hour uses flashbacks to provide background on Brogan's dog Doyle, his heroin dealing partner Kostya Novotny (Tony Siragusa) and his girlfriend Naturelle Rivera (Rosario Dawson). It makes you wonder how Brogan could have ended up pulling time for dealing heroin with such a strong group of positive influences around him.
The flashbacks take place on Brogan's last day of freedom before reporting to Otisville to begin serving a seven year sentence. His friends are planning to spend the night with Brogan before he has to report to serve his sentence. As the day and night wear on we get to pick up more pieces of the puzzle regarding Brogans arrest and clear up suspicions of who turned him in (could it have been Naturelle?) The friends resolve issues, engage in deep discussions and even have some light-hearted moments as the inevitable hour approaches for Brogan to begin serving his time.
25th Hour has some brilliant writing. David Benioff wrote both the novel as well as the screenplay. I knew I was going to enjoy the film early on, when Brogan engages in a conversation with himself in the bathroom mirror of his father's bar. The discussion comes in the form of a beat generation type rant reminiscent of Alan Ginsberg. In this rant, Brogan blames New York, stereotyping all the different groups you see in any block in the city on any given day, before settling in to take the blame himself. The poetic rant was magnificent. The characters were credible and engaging with dialogue that seemed credible. The pacing was a bit slow at times, but good for most of the film.
I was confused by the casting. Ed Norton, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Brian Cox and Rosario Dawson were spectacular. Then there's Tony Siragusa. If I need some "D" Tony's my guy. But his Russian accent was horrible. "What you call this dog...the bull pit?" Come on. Siragusa was a scene killer. Luckily his exposure was as limited as his Russian. Without Siragusa, I would have considered this cast flawless. Siragusa wasn't that hard of a sell as an Italian in the Soprano's, but don't ask the guy to do an accent, again. Ever.
25th Hour is rated R for some mild violence, adult themes, strong language, underage drinking, teen smoking and some inappropriate touching between an adult and a minor. The film is pretty tame from what I saw. No nudity, no gore, no gratuitous violence, sex or drug use. Basically, a good story with real stuff in it. If anything, the mild objectionable material adds realism to the film. I would allow tweens and older to see this film without a second thought. The film is a bit long at two hours, fifteen minutes.
25th Hourtakes a different look at heroin dealing. Brogan is a drug dealer that you can't help but like. Who cares that he probably ruined hundreds of lives with the poison he was pushing. He gives dollars to the homeless and saves a severely beaten dog. The negative aspect of his trade is actually handled in the dialogue, where his friend does say he has gotten what he deserves. On the other hand, we seem to be glorifying a drug dealer. I struggled with the idea a little, but enjoyed the film anyway. Norton is just too likable as Brogan (the importance of good casting). The strong writing, excellent performances and unique look at this subject matter made for some engaging cinema. 8/10.
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