The 24th Day
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Movie Reviews of The 24th Day
Movie Review: Fine acting, very well done
Summary: 5 Stars
Scott Speedman and James Marsden both do exceptional acting in this emotionally intense film. In this review I want to discuss three aspects of the film.
First, the actors and the complicated situation these two men find themselves in carries this film. There are no fireworks special effects. In fact the film feels like a stage play due to the intensity of the dialogue between these two men, one of whom, Tom the chef, has imprisoned the other, Dan the gay successful pretty boy, and will kill him if it appears that he infected Tom during Tom's one and only one-night-stand with another man. Beautiful James Marsden does a terrific job but Scott Speedman needs a nomination for best supporting actor, he is really good. The play between captive and captor is a dangerous game, as these two men discover.
Second, the film did an excellent job of weaving in the intracacies and uncertainties of HIV infection and antibody testing into the plot. Tom thinks Dan infected him 5 years ago during intercourse because a couple of years later, Tom's wife develops AIDS related symptoms, finds she is HIV positive, and then dies by running a red light after finding her HIV status. Tom imprisons Dan, takes a sample of his blood by force, and sends it to a lab with the intention of killing Dan if it comes back positive since Tom interprets this as proof that Dan infected him. Dan, struggling for his life, reasons with Tom that Tom's wife could have been infected before Tom and that since she showed AIDS symptoms so early, she may have been infected for some time. Thus Dan tries to raise doubts in Tom's mind that Tom did not infect his wife, it was the other way around. Anyone familiar with HIV/AIDS knows that this is a valid argument.
Third, the story showed character development and change. Tom is extremely angry at first and seeks careful deadly revenge against Dan. Then Dan rightfully inserts doubt into Tom's mind as to who infected who in the relationship between Tom and his wife. Then the results come back with Dan's HIV status. At this point the film takes some plot twists which I don't think I should reveal, however I will say that at some point Tom moves out of anger and revenge and into compassion. Compassion is an amazing emotion, healing to those who experience it directly or indirectly. This recognition of the role of compassion in our lives is the reason I gave this exceptional film a "5".
Very well done.
Movie Review: What would you do?
Summary: 5 Stars
What would you do if something you did five years ago cost you everything you have by calling into question everything you are?
This question isn't only asked but answered by Tom (Scott Speedman), on the 24th day of a revelation that cost him the life he was so desperately trying to build. Five years ago Tom had a one night stand with Dan (James Marsden). It was an urge that had been building up inside of him for years that he quelled, until that night. It was the first and only time he'd ever been unfaithful to his wife. But that one indiscretion began a ripple effect that touched and eventually destroyed every other aspect of his life.
After their one night together Tom goes on with his life as if nothing happened. He made a choice that night -- to love his wife, and in so doing he completely submerged this other part of himself. The part that was/is attracted to men. Until, in the most horrible way imaginable Tom's wife discovers the truth about her husband and their life together.
Tom is HIV positive. And in his mind he could have only contracted it one way - Dan. So Tom "accidentally" runs into Dan at a bar. Dan doesn't recognize him and they go back to Tom's place. Dan thinks he's there for sex, but Tom has other plans. Tom knocks Dan out and ties him to a chair then forcibly extracts blood from him in order to get it tested.
For a lot of people that would be the end of movie, but this movie delves deeper. Because while Tom is angry and wants his revenge, we are also shown that he is still very much attracted to Dan, and that even tied up and held prisoner Dan is attracted to Tom. And it's in the duality of the situation they find themselves in that is the crux of the film. It's a two man passion play that isn't afraid to touch on those things we'd rather not think about in the cool dispassionate light of day. Things like, love, betrayal, denial and the hardest of all acceptance. In the end its about what you're responsible for and what you're willing to take responsibility for. And ultimately can you live with that.
Movie Review: A Message of Sexual Responsibility
Summary: 5 Stars
This is another film I purchased without knowing a thing about it, and wound up being quite glad I did. The premise of this film had me on the edge of my seat from the very first gut-wrenching conflict, in a film that was filled to the brim with gut-wrenching conflicts. The acting of both principals in this essentially two-character piece was first rate, and helped to elevate it high above most standard gay-themed fare. But what really made this picture superior to 90% of the gay titles I've purchased in the past year was the confrontation of real issues that gay men should be discussing, but frequently shy away from. Without giving away the plot, let me say that almost every minute of the taught, carefully crafted script is imbued with thoughtful discussion on issues that are all to frequently ignored by sexually active gay men. I didn't see the ending coming at all, and the ultimate, positive and healthy message - that everyone is responsible for their own conduct, and the consequences thereof - is one that too many people don't seem to get, in my observation. In a world where the madness of barebacking and substance abuse is decimating the gay urban male population, the lesson of this film is one that every gay man needs to consider, if not embrace wholeheartedly. Good god! A gay drama that dares to address and discuss sexual responsibility in an adult manner! What will they think of next?Movie Review: Tick Tock, has 24 hours ever seemed so long.... your fate at the end of the time
Summary: 5 Stars
This was as suspenseful a movie as I have seen in a long time. Wondering is he going to pass the test or not. You wonder what you would do if you had been impaired and had that slight doubt but kept up the bravado and also you start these psychological games with the hostage keeper and trying to out psych him and think he's convincing him then he laughs at the hostage. Without saying much to give it away it is a twist and you vascilate between what you would do and as the hostage taker starts drinking and letting more of his life story slip the mystery really starts. Then he goes out and leaves the guy tied to the chair and it wa so Hitchcockian, tick tock with everything silence except the racing noise in his brain, then the movie he plays trying to remember the night before, he was drunk too, did he do it or , no way he couldn't have. Besides even if he had it would be OK. 24 hours is a long time, I have had to wait an hour for lab tests and that seemed like 24 hours I can only imagine. And will he cut him up as he describes so graphically if the test comes back positive? Just when you are calm and think the 24 hours has gone by and the ropes are cut there is 10 seconds of overtime that changes the whole hour and a half of movie.Movie Review: Good story, great writing, superb acting
Summary: 5 Stars
This is definitely a sleeper film. I am a big fan of both actors so I decided to watch it. The surprise performance came from Scott Speedman who was simply superb opposite a very competent James Marsden. I wonder if the writer/director intended this as a play; it certainly comes off like that, though I didn't see a reference to "based on the play" in the credits.
Plays don't usually take well to the screen, but this really works. And the intense performances by these two talented actors is spellbinding. The subtle qualities in Speedman's performance were fascinating. And Marsden really delivers. I hope these two guys work together again.
The writing is tight and very well done. Good staging, good suspense of course, and great staging. There's no special effects, no big action, no sex ... hence, this film has to stand purely on the script and the acting. It gets an A+. I would love to see the stage play. It would be interesting to see the actors switch roles.