25TH HOUR
US, 2003, 138 minutes, Colour.
Edward Norton, Philip Seymour Hoffmann, Barry Pepper, Brian Cox, Anna Paquin, Rosario Dawson.
Directed by Spike Lee.
25th Hour is not your typical Spike Lee 'joint'. Rather, it is a focus on America in general, especially on three white Americans, three 30-somethings at crisis points in tbeir lives.
Edward Norton is convincing, as usual, in his performanceas Monty, a 31 year old reformed drug dealer who had begun dealing while at school and has continued working for Russian interests in New York City. His change of heart is symbolised by his taking pity on a dog, who has been bashed near the river where he walks and contemplates. In a discussion about Murphy's Law, which his friend thinks is Doyle's law, he takes him to a vet, calls the dog 'doyle' and the dog becomes his favoured companion. He is in a long relationship with a Puerto Rican American, Naturelle (Rosario Dawson) whom he suspects of turning him in.
The 25th hour refers to him giving himself up to police for a jail sentence after 24 hours with his friends and family. His friends are played most convincingly by Philip Seymour Hoffman, a seemingly repressed literature teacher who is full of lustful feelings especially towards a provocative young student played by Anna Paquin, and Barry Pepper as a no-prisoners-taken Wall Street whiz-kid.
The film focuses on life in the broad scope of New York City, from the schools to Wall Street to drug dealing. The older generation is represented by Brian Cox as Norton's father, a retired alcoholic fireman who owns a bar. There is also 'Uncle' Nikolai, the Russian Mafia drug lord, imprisoned in three countries, but now dominating the trade with his brutal henchman. The younger generation is represented by Mary, dressing provocatively, trying to get into the club, wanting high marks and prepared to give anything to get them, gulping down champagne, some extasy and reacting in shocked amazement after flirting with her teacher when he kisses her.
This is not usual Spike Lee territory. The focus is not on African American issues but rather the broader picture of Lee's own city which he lovingly photographs. He has a scene where the two friends discuss the meaning of life overlooking workmen at Ground Zero. However, there are two flourishes in the Lee manner, a rap attack on everyone and everything, spitting out biases against all races, migrants and religions in the US, spoken by Ed Norton as he looks at himself in a toilet mirror in his father's bar. There is also an over-romanticised fantasy of the American dream at the end, spoken by Brian Cox as he drives his son to prison.
While this ending may seem oversweet but ironic as Norton goes to do his time, beaten by his friend so that he will escape sexual attack in prison, there are many good things in the film, not least the very strong performances which bring the characters and their crises alive.
1. The title, 24 hours in the day, Monty Brogan's last day, the 25th hour before he went to prison?
2. Spike Lee and his love for New York City, the city as one of the characters, the cityscapes, the river, the apartments, school, Wall Street, the clubs, the use of Ground Zero and a symbol of the worst that could happen?
3. The realism of the style, the close-ups, the cityscapes, each character in their real situation?
4. The contrast with the fantasy sequences, especially Monty's mirror-wrap attack on everyone and everything? The finale with his father's American Dream, Monty growing old with his family?
5. Monty as an American Everyman? The Irish background, his mother's death, his relationship with his father, school and his school friends, his looking at the trophies and remembering his basketball days, his smooth character, moving into drug-dealing with the children at school, liked by everyone, his criminal life, visiting his father, his change of heart about his drug-dealing, the possibility then of acknowledging his guilt, doing time or escaping?
6. His best friends, the links from schooldays, shared memories, getting together? What did they have in common? Jacob, his work at school, the circle for his tutorial, Mary and her flirtatious presence, alone with Jacob? Jacob as shy, yet his lust for feelings and thoughts, especially as regards Mary? Monty coming to his class and the comments about the new style of teaching? The contrast with Frank, the hectic atmosphere of Wall Street, the deals, the shouting? His boss and supervision, Frank as being his own man, taking risks - yet his declaration of some principles?
7. Monty's father, an older man, the background of the fireman, his alcoholism in the past, owning the bar, helping his son, their discussions and the closeness of the relationship, driving his son to the prison - and his hopes, in fantasy, for Monty?
8. Naturelle, her Puerto Rican background but being American, not having visited Puerto Rico much, her relationship with Monty, her dependence on him, a good character, giving him support? His suspicions of her? The truth that she did not betray him?
9. Monty and the opening, the dog, the bite, his change of attitude? The discussion with Kostya about Doyle's Law and calling the dog Doyle? With the dog, walking him, the 24 hours? His seeing Jacob in the school, his going to his father and having the meal with him, going to the restroom and his angry outburst, seeing Naturelle at home, remembering the past, remembering the visit of the police and his suspicions of her? Seeing Frank, seeing the Russians? The truth about the betrayal, the confrontation with Nikolai? Kostya and his betrayal?
10. Monty and the bust, the police connections, the blame? His visit to Nikolai, Nikolai telling him the truth, giving him the gun, Monty refusing to shoot, leaving Kostya to Nikolai's mercy? The background of Nikolai's suspicions, Monty being used by the police to get to him, Nikolai's story of his past, Kostya?
11. The importance of the discussion between Jacob and Frank, overlooking Ground Zero, their discussion about the meaning of life?
12. Going to the club, finding Mary at the club, arranging to let her in? Her dancing, the drugs, the champagne? Jacob and his telling the story about Mary to Frank? Jacob and his awkwardness, going to sleep? Following Mary to the room, the kissing, the consequences? Then Jacob being entrusted with Doyle?
13. Frank and his sexuality, the importance of the request by Monty to bash him, Monty provoking him under the bridge, his lashing out?
14. Naturelle, Monty discovering she had not betrayed him, the reconciliation, her being prepared to wait?
15. The importance of the bashing for Monty, his fear of homosexual activity in the prison, his wanting to be repulsive and save himself, surviving?
16. The final fantasy, Monty and Naturelle, the family, mixed race, old age, the American Dream?
17. The film as a close-up of Monty, the thirtysomething young man, American drugs, American violence, American crime, American Dream, crime and punishment?
