THE MOVIE PAGES in association with impact internet services presents 40 Days and 40 Nights fourtydays.htm

Insight Let me preface this review with the following qualification, "film is as entertaining and varied as life itself" and while we might not like everything about the world we live in there is something out there that appeals to each and everyone of us personally. So for those who like a bit of a laugh, a love story, lots of frivolity and pushing the envelope, "40 Days and 40 Nights" will have a lot of appeal. No this isn't one of those rip your face off laughing films. Yes there is a bountiful supply of nubile, willing young women. "40 Days and 40 Nights" won't kill off your brain cells [you have a mobile phone for that purpose]. It may send a few teenagers blind but my advice is "stop it or you'll go blind"! And no, it won't be in the next list of academy award winners. But [there's always a but or in this case a "butt"] it is good fun and has lots of appeal. Reviewing lots and lots of film can be as dangerous as strapping a mobile phone to your ear and frying the brain. By that I mean, it's easy to lose sight of the biggest and most important factor, it's not what you think personally, its what the target audience is going to think. Personally I just happen to think that "40 Days and 40 Nights" is a pretty neat film that fits its genre comfortably. You know, like your underpants or panties. Not too tight, not flapping in the breeze, but just that warm snug feeling. You know their on, but you don't even notice them. The audience I sat with ranged from 15 to 81 [yes I brought the "old man" with me] and they all seemed to enjoy the onscreen antics of Josh Harnett, Shannyn Sossamon, Vinessa Shaw, and Paul Costanzo who headline a film thats not bad fun and worth a look at. The Story

Matt [Josh Hartnett]is suffering. He's still obsessed with his former girlfriend Nicole [Vinessa Shaw]. No matter what he does he's haunted by here memory. So badly that he has to fake it during sex. Thanks to the advice of his priestly brother he now has the ideal solution. No sex for 40 Days and 40 Nights. Just like Jesus he will suffer the temptations of the Devil and he will come through this experience of being in the wilderness, a better person. Whoa, hang on their buddy, this may not be as simple as it seems. Not once everybody finds out and a betting pool is established. How long can Matt go without sex of any kind. His sacred vow of absinance is made harder as he is tested by the office girls who want to break him and as he suffers from sexual hallucinations. Things get even worse when he meets the beautiful Erica [Shannyn Sossamon], the girl of his dreams. From the team that brought you "Notting Hill" and "Bridgette Jones's Diary", shot on location in beautiful San Fransisco comes "40 Days and 40 Nights" a comedy with a twist from Miramax Films. The Verdict "No heavy weight in the comedy stakes but never the less a good fun experience. "40 Days and 40 Nights" is sure to appeal to more than just the teen fraternity. Josh Harnett is a likeable larakin as Matt Sullivan and Shannyn Sossamon's Erica is as refreshing as a sea breeze on a hot day. Certainly worth a look at!"

What The Critics Say

"Along with its share of cheap comedy, it delivers a decent love story, perceptive comment on sexuality and relationships, and a breakout performance by Josh Hartnett."
Brian Webster APOLLO GUIDE
"The way Matt's fate plays out is consistently engaging, at once clever and insightful."
Kevin Thomas LOS ANGELES TIMES
"The first movie since Chasing Amy to successfully balance gentle romance and raunchy comedy."
Tor Thorsen REEL.COM
"Highly flawed but crudely funny."
Gemma Tarlach MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
"A smart and witty romantic farce that mixes sweet and sexy with surprising aplomb."
Steve Simels TV GUIDE'S MOVIE GUIDE
"Pushes the envelope in the same goodhearted way the first "American Pie" did, relying on a pitch-perfect cast of characters to deliver some memorable one-liners."
Mary F Pols CONTRA COSTA TIMES
"The material may be lightweight, but it's been shaped into a film that deserves to become a classic in an admittedly lightweight genre."
Charles Savage MIAMI HERALD

The Cast

Josh Hartnett
Shannyn Sossamon
Paulo Costanzo
Adam Trese
Emmanuelle Vaugier
Lorin Heath
Aaron Trainor
Glenn Fitzgerald
Monet Mazur
Christine Chatelain
Keegan Connor Tracy
Michael C Maronna
Vinessa Shaw
Stefanie von Pfetten
Stanley Anderson

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Matt Sullivan
Erica Sutton
Ryan
John Sullivan
Susie
Diana
Waiter
Chris
Candy
Andie
Mandy
The Bagel Guy
Nicole
Andie
Father Maher