40 Days and 40 Nights
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Movie Reviews of 40 Days and 40 Nights
Movie Review: Great Teen/Twenties Movie
Summary: 4 Stars
Anyone who thoroughly enjoyed movies such as The Sweetest Thing, 10 Things I Hate About You and Sweet Home Alabama will love this movie. Josh Hartnett's sweet nature in this movie is very cute. Josh Hartnett fans everywhere should flock to this movie!Movie Review: Life imitates art...
Summary: 3 Stars
Someone else wrote something about recalling their personal experiences that this movie conjured up for them. Well, in a similar but different way, I have to admit that I did the opposite and actually imitated the movie...or at least the general premise of it. Granted the scenes and subplots were somewhat outlandish and contrived, but this was an overall inspiring movie for me at a time when I too was looking for meaning in what was then a very unmeaningful phase in my life.
Without coming off like some kind of wannabe player, I will just say that I had enough casual experiences with beautiful women to realize that this was not a way to fill in the void that only true love could render--yeah, you know what's right but you take a few wrong turns to actually get why it is, ya mean? (that's Brooklyn for, "do you understand what I am saying?")LOL
Anyway, a year ago, I did the 40/40 fast and I must say that situations that might have been considered for alternate scenes for this movie definitely began to happen to me, especially from the African-American male point of view (lol). I avoided situations that I would later want to slap myself for not engaging in (e.g. why did the most beautiful woman in the entire club, whom every man seemed to be after, decide to just randomly sit by me and why did she try to molest me on the dancefloor, later on, when I explained to her when she asked why I was purposely keeping my distance from her heavenly-sculpted body (sometimes I get migraines thinking about how much resistance I had to put up that night). 40 days/nights is definitely not an impossible feat, but when women can just seem to sense that you are doing something to resist them sexually...wow...just evil! It can really become a serious challenge, especially if you were as social as I was--hell, I'm a musician and was also an Entertainment writer back then--got me?! LOL
So, I guess the movie got to me because I related to it on a very personal level and learned a lot about myself, women, and increased willpower in the process.
As far as standout scenes in the movie...man...you gotta love the "white orchid" scene where Matt and Erica attempt physical intimacy while still playing by the his rules and not actually touching each other (LESSON: Foreplay gives equal or greater pleasure than sex for a lot of women).
His roommate was hilarious as his antagonist and the reason everyone all over the city seemed to know about his fast and was betting on him.
The "Bagel Guy" was a great character and great for running jokes (i.e. his name and that he knows everybody's business).
Nicole was definitely hot and I know for a fact that Matt's run-in with her when she came by his place and he resisted her (which only made her hornier) is not contrived! Cold showers don't do squat...a long brisk walk (even running...away, quickly) really helps!
His hot female co-workers testing him on two occasions to bend his will and break him...brings back memories!
Erica would definitely be a challenge to resist, considering she was sexy, cool, and a prime reason for Matt to engage in sex again, but this time in a monogamous, fulfilling relationship; and for the ladies reading, they're a good number of men out there that actually would prefer that...and don't live with their mother, aren't psycho, and actually have a life and are attractive (lol) ;)
Overall, this movie is a good buy if you fall into the American Pie age demographic but aren't opposed to a pro-monogamous message...even if it isn't the most serious or realistic one. And if you try to do the 40/40 fast...don't commit to something you can't finish!!
Now I'm in a monogamous, reciprocally-loving relationship with my girlfriend who represents the type of woman I need to be with that I can share myself with sexually in a spiritually-fulfilling way...but why, in all irony, is SHE a virgin??? LOL
Movie Review: Too many jokes at the expense of the romance in this one
Summary: 3 Stars
If irony is indeed the master trope of the universe, as I have been claiming for several decades, then you know that as soon as Matt Sullivan (Josh Hartnett) makes a vow to stay celibate for the "40 Days and 40 Nights" of Lent, that he is going to meet the love of his life. That would be Erica Sutton (Shannyn Sossamon), who fate throws him together with at the local laundry mat. Matt knows that he is being tested. The problem is that pretty much everyone he knows is in on the cosmic joke.Matt takes his vow because his breakup with Nicole (Vinessa Shaw) has left him a wreck. He keeps bailing out on successful dates and is becoming obsessed with ceilings. He goes for comfort and advice from his brother who is studying to be a priest and practicing hearing confessions. When he sees the banners for Lent going up he takes it as a sign and swears off sex, including foreplay and self-gratification. Unfortunately, once his roommate Ryan (Paulo Costanzo) finds out the deals this becomes the prefect opportunity to use the internet to get a pool going on how long Matt can, uh, last.
Now, for the sake of argument we will assume that Matt has no discernable brain activity when he is asleep (despite scenes to the contrary), so that we can have the willing suspension of disbelief to go with the film's running gag that has the hero falling part as he goes longer and longer without relief. In the real world this guy would be able to keep his vow and wake up without any major problems. But writer Rob Perez and director Michael Lehmann ("The Truth About Cats & Dogs") want to milk this guy's discomfort for everything it is worth and, unfortunately, more.
It dawned on me that this movie has is clearly bifurcated into the "guy" parts and the "girl" parts and the biggest problem with "40 Days and 40 Nights" is that the two halves do not fit together (as compared to "50 First Dates," which overcomes a similar problem and combines comedy and sweetness). Matt's friends and co-workers treat his vow as a joke and/or money making opportunity. This allows for lots of jokes and some prosthetic humor that leads to the inevitable conclusion that all men are pigs.
Where this film had potential was with the idea that Matt would have to date a woman without having sex, both before and after she finds out about THE VOW. However, I find it hard to believe that finding out about such a thing would really be upsetting to a woman, especially if the guy knows how to handle a flower (and Matt really knows how to handle a flower; this film must have given lots of couples ideas for similar epsiodes of flower fun). But if you stop and think about it the idea that a couple could have a good time on a date with sex or any form of physical contact has to be against just about everything Hollywood stands for (assuming, of course, they are in an upright position).
I was planning on liking this 2002 comedy more, but then somebody bad does something really bad without consequences. No comeuppance. No joke at their expense. No sense of outraged expressed by another character. Nothing. I was so ticked off by that turn of events that when the film cobbled together the requisite happy ending I was not really in the mood to enjoy it. But the filmmakers do get props for coming up with a nice little gift as Matt's final act of contrition.
Final Note: "40 Days and 40 Nights" was certified for 11 year old in Sweden, 12 years old in the Netherlands and Portugal, 13 year olds in Spain, 14 years olds in Brazil and the cantons of Vaud and Geneva in Switzerland, 15 year olds in the United Kingdom, Finland and Norway, 16 year olds in Argentina and in the Swiss canon of Grisons. I have no idea what to make of these numbers but they sure are interesting and make me wonder what is up with those Swiss kids in Grisons (was it the sex or the vow part they are worried about?).
Movie Review: Art imitates life
Summary: 3 Stars
I picked up this movie just wanting some raunchy humor and some lite entertainment, but was absolutely positively shocked at an eerie parallel that it showed in my own life. Years ago I was going out with the Matt character, who had a girlfriend (quite a while before he met me) named Nicole who dumped him, walked away and never spoke to him again. I am not so vain and self centered to think that I was the "girl of his dreams", but I think I am a damned good woman. He would not, could not stop talking about her. He still sent her presents and letters, and told her that he would always be there for her. When I asked him why he was doing this (he never kept it a secret from me), he said it was his duty to look after her and keep her safe even though everthing was returned to him unopened. He was a deeply religious man who took the "No sex for Lent" to apply to all days of the year, and he spent many days and nights in extreme sexual frustration. Finally, unable to commit to me after a year of whining codependence, sexual absenance, and being absolutely positively determined that someday somehow Nicole would come back to him, he broke it off to become a priest. About a year later he married another woman who wasn't Nicole. No really.
This movie brings out a lot of things that are otherwise typical male fantasy and frustration. Matt, the main character, is devistated that the old girlfriend Nicole broke up with him, and has decided the only way to get it out of his system is to abstain from sex for Lent. He will not just not sleep with other women, but abstain from all aspects (porn, masterbation, etc.). This is no easy feat for a man, as men are hardwired to think about nothing but sex at every waking moment. The hilarity ensues with his friends taking bets on how long he can last, suddenly all women around him looking hotter, and all the sexual reference one can imagine. He, naturally, meets the girl of his dreams and cannot break his promise until after said 40 days are over. She gets annoyed, he gets insane, and it all works out in the end.
I don't really know where I stand on this, except it was just an eerie coincidence as to something that happened to me in real life. It struck me as being very self centered or maybe insecure of Matt to not tell his new girlfriend about this. Had I been in her position I would have been as sympathetic as possible. But Matt was at least likable and did not spend every waking moment whining to his friends and aquaintence "Oh whoa is me, Nicole left me". Unlike some people. He had a purpose, and did not lie to himself about his feelings or wants. The rest of the movie is just filler, filled with smutty references and sex jokes that unfortunately sends this movie into the "it's just ok" field.
I guess the biggest question here is if Matt emerged as a stronger, wiser person because of this choice. To me, I didn't see it that way. He seemed the same, except that he had successfully moved on from his old girlfriend to a new one. He didn't earn the admiration of his friends who knew about it, instead they shook their heads and laughed at him behind his back. And the new girlfriend didn't seem any different either, except she must have been glad they didn't have to wait anymore. And of course, for me, I wondered where this all lead to the real people that this movie unknowingly imitated. The "Matt" and "Nicole" real people are most likely still married to their spouses, the real "Matt" has probably conveniently forgotten about all these things from my perspective. As the viewing audience, I can't help but feel bitter and hurt by it. But that's the past. I was the one who emerged the stronger from this experience. I am no longer weak and eager to make others happy, I am strong. And because I am strong, I met a wonderful man with who I am happy with who doesn't need a mother.
Movie Review: "Days" Is Fun
Summary: 3 Stars
"40 Days and 40 Nights" is a crude, vulgar, at times I guess it can be described as an offensive movie. In other words it's a guy's movie lol. There's something inside me saying, it's wrong for me to like this movie. This is not a "great" movie. I know I've seen much better movies. I consider myself a filmbuff and have seen several American classics and well as several foreign films. But, still, for some reason, despite myself, I like this movie. Then again I always seem to go for movies like this. I like the "American Pie" films. I liked the first "Scary Movie". So there is a side of me that enjoys vulgar humor."40 Days and 40 Nights" as most people know is about a guy named Matt Sullivan (Josh Hartnett) taking a vow of celibacy for the lenght the title says. He does this because as a friend tells him "(He's) packed with issues!" He can't seem to get over his girfriend. Every other person he is with he compares to his ex, Nicole (Vinesse Shaw). But, the odd thing is, his way of trying to deal with this problem is by sleeping with them. So, he decides if he can get his mind off sex all of his problems will go away and he'll forget about his ex. But, he meets a girl, Erica (Shannyn Sossamon). Who just further tempts him and makes things worst for him.
One of the reasons I like "40 Days and 40 Nights" is that it seems to have something to say about teen dating and the importance people (of any age) have placed on sex. The film shows how that seems to be the main thing on both guys and girls mind's. There was a line in the movie that Erica gives "God!Why won't he just sleep with me!" That one line is a key line to the film. Teens and other people sometimes refer to sex as merely a casual act. Something you wouldn't even give a second thought too. I could if I want go into a whole moral issues here like, you know there was a time when people actually waited to become intimate after they were married, but, I won't. This is a modern world, with a new set of standards, no matter how bad they may be. But, one of the problems with the film is, after it lightly touches these ideas it stops!
Is this a movie everyone will enjoy? No. This is purely a "teen movie" If adults saw this they would just think to themselves "Is this the way MY kids are!? That's it, they're not going out for a whole year!" But, teens will like it, and who knows, if a couple goes to see this, it may even open a door to discuss what each of them thinks about sex. And plus girls will just like staring at Hartnett, so it no lost for them either.
Bottom-line: A good funny "teen movie" that actually does have something to say. I think both guys and girls will enjoy this one.