"Without question, the very best film of 2002 and Spike Lee's best film to date. Includes a sequence that should and will go down in cinematic history." ... James E Laczkowski EFILMCRITIC.COM

"Deserves all the praise that’s been spread out over Lee’s career into a collective achievement that is both stunningly powerful and delivers the message that has been lacking of late in so many 'message' movies." Erik Childress EFILMCRITIC.COM "A tour de force of ensemble acting, "25th Hour" explores the responsibilities of relationships." Laura Clifford REELING REVIEWS "Lee, as he did in Malcolm X and Clockers, makes his hero's dread palpable, and though 25th Hour lacks the glittering brilliance of those films, I was held by the toughness and pity of Lee's gaze." Owen Gleiberman ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY "Buoyed by compelling performances from Edward Norton and an excellent supporting cast, the film almost transcends its pulp settings." Daniel Eagan FILM JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL "Impressively, Lee steps out of his narrow genre, paints a stunning portrait of New York City, and will surely gain a wider audience with 25th HOUR." Victoria Alexander FILMSINREVIEW.COM

"25th Hour is both thoughtful and exciting, a movie that shifts tones casually and deceptively, building to its powerful finale." Marshall Fine THE JOURNAL NEWS "Raw and edgy...Spike Lee is ticking again." Gerry Shamray SUN NEWSPAPERS OF CLEVELAND "An intelligent, reflective film." Chris Hewitt ST PAUL PIONEER PRESS "Compelling and emotionally complex." Bruce Kirkland, JAM! MOVIES "25th Hour is a thought-provoking meditation on human beings, the choices they make and their ability to change." Forrest Hartman RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL

At A Glance

"Lee uses film like a wild-eyed protestor dousing himself with gasoline and striking a match." Ken Hanke MOUNTAIN XPRESS

A huge cast and a monster performance from Edward Norton are just two of the many reasons why you should see "25th Hour". First the cast is solid and the list boasts credibility. These are all actors with big reputations. They appear on screen as though they have been lifelong friends, never missing a beat or a moment [and there are plenty in "25th Hour" to enjoy].
Edward Norton first came to prominence thanks to the film "American History X", but as most would know it wasn't his first controversial film. After completing "Primal Fear" in 1996, Norton appeared in the film "The People vs. Larry Flynt". The film gained much notoriety but people were starting to notice the slim young man with the fine facial features. Nortons voice was heard narrating the cult film "Fight Club" [1999] but it was his next role which would showcase his remarkable talents. Norton joined Mr Robert De Niro in the thriller "The Score". His performance in the role of Jack Teller would have the critics and audiences buzzing. There would be no doubting his ability to match it with the best of them now as he went toe to toe with De Niro. Next up was "Frida" where he joined a number of well known faces including Geoffrey Rush, Antonia Banderas, Ashley Judd and the two stars, Salma Hayek & Alfred Molina. "Red Dragon" [2002] kept him in the spotlight. Who could forget those opening scenes with Dr Hannibal Lecter and the chilling consequences his realization [of the truth about the Patron of the Arts] would have for Agent Will Graham. It was as though you could feel the life-blood running from his veins. After filming was completed on the "25th Hour" Norton moved on to his next role in "The Italian Job". Australian fans will see him as Steve Frezelli later this year. In the "25th Hour" Edward Norton plays Monty Brogan, a recently convicted drug dealer who is spending his last day of freedom with his friends before starting a seven year jail term. Everything in the "25th Hour" revolves around Monty Brogan and Norton does a solid job, taking us through an emotive final day of freedom. We meet his friends, his girlfriend Naturelle Riviera, his former supplier and crime boss who has words of wisdom for him once he is in the 'big house', his father to whom he owes much and has supported financially, his two friends Frank Slattery [a shallow, self centred, highly opinionated man] and Jacob Elinsky [ a school teacher who somehow lacks confidence and conviction and appears to be poles apart from Brogan character-wise, yet they are truly real friends] and revisit his life through flashbacks.
Joining Norton on the screen are Barry Pepper ["Knockaround Guys" (2001), "We Were Soldiers" (2002) and "Saving Private Ryan" (1988)], Rosario Dawson ["Men in Black II" (2002), "Sidewalks of New York" (2001) & "He Got Game" (1998)], Brian Cox ["X-Men 2" (2003), "Super Troopers" (2001), "The Glimmer Man" (1996), "Manhunter" (1986)], Anna Paquin ["X-Men 2" (2003), "Almost Famous" (200), "The Piano" (1993)] and another stunning performer, Philip Seymour Hoffman ["Red Dragon" (2002), "Punch-Drunk Love" (2002), "Almost Famous" (2000), "State and Main" (2000), "The Talented Mr Ripley" (1999), "Patch Adams" (1998), "The Big Lebowski" (1998) and "Scent of a Woman" (1992)].
The impressive cast list is matched by the film crew which includes acclaimed director Spike Lee ["Clockers" (1995), "Crooklyn" (1994), "Malcolm X" (1992)], composer Terence Blanchard ["Original Sin" (2001), "Clockers" (1995), "Malcolm X" (1992)] and cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto ["8 Mile" (2002), "Frida" (2002), "Original Sin" (2001)]. The Story Monty Brogan [a convicted drug dealer[ has gathered his friends together on this his last day of freedom before he commences a seven year jail sentence. Monty is a pretty harmless sort of a guy, trustworthy and faithful, yet someone has betrayed him to the Feds. He still doesn't know who. Everyone suspects it's his beautiful young girlfriend Naturelle, but Brogan can't accept that [or maybe he just doesn't want to believe Naturelle is capable of squealing on him]. Monty is trying hard to ignore the inevitable loss of his freedom or the fate someone with his looks will face in prison. As the day winds down, Monty becomes more fearful, insecure and confused. He has arranged for a late night farewell with his closest friends Naturelle [whom he met when she was still at school], Frank Slattery [a cocky, self assured stock broker] and Jakob Elinsky [a school teacher who has a crush on one of his young students Mary D'Annuzio]. But before that final party he must see his father James [who is devistated by the thought of his son spending seven long years behind bars]. That meeting will release many of his demons. It will be a long and interesting night for all the players. The Verdict "A strong, powerful performance by Norton anchors this film right from its opening moments. Wonderful cast who all produce stellar performances. The music of composer Terence Blanchard adds further to the tension of Monty's final hours of freedom. Blanchards haunting, soulful score matches the mood changes of the "25th Hour" perfectly. A triumph for director Spike Lee. Imaginative, spirited, compelling cinema." The Cast & Crew

Edward Norton Philip Seymour Hoffman Barry Pepper Rosario Dawson Anna Paquin Brian Cox Tony Siragusa Levani Tony Devon Misha Kuznetsov Isiah Whitlock Jr Michael Genet Patrice O'Neal Al Palagonia Aaron Stanford Marc H. Simon Armando Riesco Brad Williams Bear Jackson Keith Nobbs Felicia Finley Radu Spinghel Dania

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Monty Brogan Jacob Elinsky Frank Slattery Naturelle Riviera Mary D'Annuzio James Brogan Kostya Novotny Uncle Nikolai Agent Allen Senka Valghobek Agent Flood Agent Cunningham Khari Salvatore Dominick Marcuse Schultz Phelan Trader #1 Trader #2 Luke Jody Zakharov Daphne

Directed by Spike Lee From the novel by David Benioff Screenplay by David Benioff Original Music by Terence Blanchard Cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto Film Editing by Barry Alexander Brown Casting by Aisha Coley Production Design by James Chinlund Art Direction by Nicholas Lundy Set Decoration by Ondine Karady Costume Design by Sandra Hernandez Run Time 134 minutes Rated MA15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2003 - Touchstone Pictures - All Rights Reserved Copyright ©2003 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved