Barry Pepper, Edward Norton and Phillip Seymour Hoffman in 25th Hour

Too often Spike Lee's films have been bogged down by one theme, race.   His last completed theatrical film, Miracle at St Anna was a complete mess.  When it was not bashing you over the head with it's message of bigotry, it was confusing you in it's inexplicable story line and poor editing.  For me, his best films are the ones in which racial issues are non-existent or at least pushed into the background, such as Inside Man and 25th Hour.   

Based on David Benioff's novel, 25th Hour tells the story of a man, Monty, spending his last day of freedom before serving seven years in prison for dealing drugs.   He visits his father and goes to a club with his two long time friends and his girlfriend.  The film contains flashbacks and plenty of dialogue as we get to know Monty and his friends.

The entire plot is driven by conversations and this movie has some great lines.  One of my favorites is when Monty's friend Jakob, a teacher, has the hots for one of his students and Frank asks him, "You know what a man should never ask in a Victoria's Secret shop, Jake?... Does this come in children's sizes?"   The "Fuck you!" speech is the greatest soliloquy of any film.  Even if you are too pious to agree with any of it, you have to at least admire the boldness of it.

This is not at all a film about what would you do if you had just one day left.  Monty’s impending date with prison reveals that all of the important  people around him have some blood on their hands as well.  His girlfriend knew he was dealing drugs and financially benefited from it, as did his dad.  His friend Frank is a trader and risks large amounts of other peoples money.  Jakob is hot for a student.  No one is without sin, yet it is only Monty who has been sentenced for his crime.

The use of color by Lee is interesting.  An interrogation scene takes place in an all white room with glaring bright light.  As a friend pointed out to me, it is as if he, "is metaphorically under the white, hot lamp."  In another scene Monty and friends arrive at a night club.   Standing near the door they all appear to be shades of blue, as everyone behind them, still waiting to get in, are normal colored.

The entire story has ground zero as a backdrop.  9/11 is mentioned several times, and in one scene two characters talk about the reality of their future relationship with Monty, while ground zero is clearly in the background.   Like the days following 9/11 no one knew what to expect.  Like Monty going to prison we all assumed the worst

Anger and fear permeate the film, and is its overall theme.  Monty is pissed that someone close to him has betrayed him and scared of what may happen to him in prison.  The ending is not completely satisfying as we are presented with a possible ending that would have made for a happy ending, but would not have rang true.  

At over two hours it could have been trimmed.  Too often the story wanders a bit by giving supporting characters more screen time than they need.  This is Monty's narrative, and the movie loses its way when it strays from him.  Although slightly bloated, 25th Hour is thought provoking and one of Spike Lee's best films. 
 

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