Sadly Over-hyped

One of my all time favorites.

Best movie ever!

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

There's a lot to like about this film. Ed Norton is in fine form and Spike Lee is possibly at his best here and their contributions to this film should not be diminished ... but, I feel like David Benioff is probably the biggest unsung hero on this project. The writing is great. The situations and the story structure are simple and effective, and by the end of the film, I actually CARED about what was going to happen to the characters. I've heard Spike Lee decided to infuse a lot of the 9-11 elements into the film, and I think that was a good choice -- it adds a sense of nostalgia for the carefree days of yesteryear -- and the social psyche parallels our hero's psyche. The future is foreboding ...Highly recommended for those who haven't seen this film.

This film you can really feel it is post 9/11. Shot just after the terrorist attacks in September 2001 in new york. The film follows Monty played brilliantly by Edward Norton. He is a drug dealer and he has 24 hours before he is taken to jail for seven years. He got busted, he doesn't know who set him up but it may have been his girlfriend. He goes around on his last day meeting up with old friends.Bonding with his dad and girlfriend. The film is beautifully shot by Spike Lee. He is a great director of atmosphere and racial tension. The music is also great and really captures the feel of the city post 9/11. Spike Lee has done some really great movies like Malcolm X, Do The Right Thing (which he should have got an Oscar for the screenplay). He really captures behaviours very well and can be very insightful. This is one of the best films I've seen in a while. Great cast including, the late great Philip Seymour Hoffman, Brian Cox, Rosario Dawson, Anna Paquin and Barry Pepper. One of the best films of the early 2000's.A must see film 4 and half stars

What would YOU do if you had one day free, before you spent the next seven years in the clink? If you're Edward Norton you say a last goodbye to your family, take your dog for a walk, go on an all-night bender with your buddies... And find out who set you up to take the fall, that's what. After all, we're not talking about UK style holiday accommodation here. It's 200 men to a cell, hard labour every day and the most basic food you can imagine. Of course, we could NEVER think of implementing such a barbaric regime over here. After all, even hardened criminals have RIGHTS. (Thanks, EU) So we follow our future jailbird as he seeks to repair broken relationships, put things in order and basically have a funtastic final fling before his extended expulsion from society. It's engaging material, the sub plots involving his two best friends (One an egotistical stockbroker, the other a neurotic teacher) hit the target too. One day is a short time to base a film around though, and even with all the constant flashbacks about how he got in this situation, the story does have a tendency to drag. Some of the dialogue can be over melodramatic, too.Still worth a watch, but NOT the masterpiece some are proclaiming it to be... 6/10

25th Hour is the story of a convicted drug dealer in his last day before he serves 7 years in jail. During this time, he reflects on what caused him to get "pinched", and how he is throwing his life away. And most importantly, about his life that was so close to happening.A very interesting concept overall. Movies either focus on what gets people into jail, what they do when they get there and how they survive, but I've rarely seen films that focus on the moments before going to prison. The family and friends that are left behind. The regrets, the confusion. It's certainly an original concept that was well executed. Beautiful character development and cinematography (especially near the end during the long driving scene). The story is told mainly in chronological order, however there are some flashbacks cut in here and there - however it's not too difficult to tell that they are in fact flashbacks.My only quip with this film that would have bumped it up to a 9 rating otherwise was some of the unnecessary deviations away from Monty (the main character)'s story. Example; the side-plot that explores Jacob Lewinsky (Monty's best friend and lonely prep school teacher)'s lust for his 17 year old student. Completely unnecessary and didn't enrich the movie in any way. Those scenes with Jacob in the club with the girl were awkward and just stuck out from the rest of the movie, which was otherwise beautifully done. I didn't see the point of it, and was a little confused as to why it was there in the first place.Overall - interesting, original concept. Definitely powerful and provocative, but could go an extra mile or two without subplot deviations.