25th Hour
There's reason to have high expectations for "25th Hour," as it is based on a well-regarded, best-selling novel, and the screenplay was written by author David Benioff. Then there's the fact that the drama stars Edward Norton, an actor who can make even the worst material watchable for a couple of hours.However, both the script and cast have been undermined by director Spike Lee, whose presence is far too noticeable in this material. To call "25th Hour" overdirected is something of an understatement.
In addition, Benioff felt the need to introduce material about 9/11 — not that such stories aren't worth telling, but it shifts the focus away from what the film is about.
The title refers to the fact that Monty Brogan (Norton), a New York City drug dealer, is about to be sent up the river for seven years after being busted for possessing and selling cocaine. He's determined to spend his final day of freedom with loved ones, including his girlfriend Naturelle (Rosario Dawson).
He also makes an effort to see two longtime friends — school teacher Jacob Elinsky (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Wall Street hustler Francis Xavier Slaughtery (Barry Pepper).
In expanding his relatively brief novel, Benioff has crammed in a lot of material and details that were probably unnecessary. And the overstuffed script plays to some of Lee's worst storytelling tendencies. Not only does that mean we get to see two of Lee's signature character-tracking shots, many scenes drag on too long.
Still, the cast does make things interesting. Norton's subtler here than he's been for quite some time.
"25th Hour" is rated R for frequent use of strong sex-related profanity and crude sexual slang terms, violence (gunplay and a brutal beating), drug content (discussion and handling of cocaine), use of racial epithets, brief gore and brief sexual contact. Running time: 135 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com