Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this movie is meant for mature audiences only, and they may want to think twice about letting kids watch. Some older teens may be able to handle the violence, emotional distress, and questionable situations. The premise centers on the deeds of a drug dealer. The majority of the characters swear repeatedly. Almost every main character is placed in some kind of questionable situation (quasi-pedophilia, assault). Additionally, the film's New York setting and content evoke the memory of September 11th.
Parents who allow older teens to watch may want to single out a racist diatribe as a point of discussion. Monty rages into a mirror about people of every race, ethnicity, religion, and sexual orientation. What does this moment communicate about changes occurring within Monty? How does he really feel about what he is saying and how does the film visually comment on this later? It's established early on that Jacob is the most upstanding person in the film. How does his relationship with an underage student undermine this? Families may also want to discuss Spike Lee as a filmmaker -- both as today's most successful African-American filmmaker and as an artist who covers a wide variety of subjects.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kelly Kessler
A big-time drug dealer for the Russian mob, Montgomery Brogan has one day left on the street before he heads to prison to serve a seven-year sentence. The film, told in partial flashback, chronicles his final day and the events that led up to it. Questioning his past, present, and future, Monty must make peace and some hard decisions before his morning ride to the joint. Far from alone, Monty suffers along with his innermost circle of friends and family. His girlfriend Natural (Rosario Dawson) is both the object of his affection and suspicion. High school buddies -- a high-powered trader (Barry Pepper) and a squeamish high school teacher (Philip Seymour Hoffman) --struggle with their feelings and Monty's expectations, while his father (Brian Cox) searches for ways to relieve his own personal guilt. What will happen on the 25th hour?
Like many of Lee's films, 25TH HOUR uses stylized cinematography to underscore the emotions of those who inhabit its world. Repeated takes of the same scene, shifts in lighting, and Lee's classic people mover shot highlight the helplessness or lack of personal agency of the characters. Excellent performances all around complement a visually stunning film. Norton (American History X, Fight Club) turns in yet another fantastic and controlled performance, while Pepper (The Green Mile, 61), Hoffman (Happiness, Magnolia), Dawson (Kids , Sin City), Paquin -- as Hoffman's student and object of lust (The Piano, X2), and Cox (Braveheart, X2) add depth to Monty's character and the overall narrative. Despite the fact that 25TH HOUR is a quality film, parents should know that the drugs, violence, nudity, and language portrayed in the film make it inappropriate for kids under eighteen.
Mature viewers may want to check out some of Norton's other works. Just Both Fight Club and American History X (for which Norton earned an Academy Award nomination) display the actor's prowess. If viewers find the cinematography and overall feel of the film engaging, they may want to check out more of Lee's films. Films such as Do the Right Thing and School Daze provide excellent examples of his earlier innovative work.
Rate It!
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| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual ContentAdults lusting after high school girls. Partial nudity (couple bathing together). |
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ViolenceThe film begins by showing a badly beaten dog and goes from there. It includes a murder and a very graphic beating of the main character. |
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LanguageA lot of swearing both casually and in anger. Extended bigoted diatribe. |
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Message |
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Social BehaviorThe main character is a convicted drug dealer; however, he feels remorse, is incredibly reflective about his life, and shows kindness and compassion for others. Almost every character has a major flaw, whether lusting for teenage girls, greed, or alcoholism, but these characters also reek of compassion and remorse for their own actions. |
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CommercialismRed Bull and Guinness product placement. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoThe main character is a drug dealer. Teenage drinking and drug use. |
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