Linbeymusol
Wonderful character development!
Stevecorp
Don't listen to the negative reviews
Invaderbank
The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.
Micah Lloyd
Excellent characters with emotional depth. My wife, daughter and granddaughter all enjoyed it...and me, too! Very good movie! You won't be disappointed.
TonyMontana96
(Originally reviewed: 11/04/2017) Spike Lee's direction is brilliant, in this compelling take on what a man really goes through 24 hours before he goes to prison; the film is impressively shot, well-paced and extremely well-acted; among the great performances are Edward Norton, Barry Pepper, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rosario Dawson and Brian Cox. 25th hour's ending is also terrific, and most surprising, breaking through conventional film endings, and showcasing a worthy end with craftsmanship, originality and skill. Here is a picture that has earned the right to be called a masterpiece, it's that good.
Anssi Vartiainen
Monty Brogan (Edward Norton) is a New York drug dealer who faces a seven-year prison sentence after he was betrayed and sold to the police. The only mystery being who betrayed him. The movie follows him on his last night before prison as he has a night on the town with his two childhood friends and his girlfriend.This is only the second Spike Lee movie I've ever seen, the first being Oldboy, and clearly I'm missing out on some great stuff here. Because this movie has style. It takes a relatively uncommon scenario, which most crime stories don't really focus on, and fills it with longing, depth, melancholy, foolish hope, anguish and bared feelings. Monty is not an innocent man. He really did commit all his crimes and deserves to go to a prison. Yet as we see him saying goodbyes, regretting the choices that led him to this point, lashing out and saying sorry, we feel for him. We can see ourselves in his circle of friends, see the same dynamics at play around which our social lives revolve. And when Monty at the end of his rope dreams of a brighter future, we want to give it to him, even though he doesn't deserve it.Style is one thing, but the acting is also superb. Edward Norton is just about the perfect actor to pull off this role, which requires both sensitivity and a mean attitude towards life. Not to say the rest of the main cast aren't great either. Rosario Dawson as the girlfriend Naturelle is especially noteworthy. Her character helps us realize that Monty has to have his redeeming sides as well. No way he could keep a girl like that if he didn't.25th Hour was a pleasant surprise in all the ways. A drama film with crime undertones that takes an unlikeable character and through the magic of storytelling, makes us love him. Definitely recommended.
Paul Khan
Seems strange to get a review a decade or so later but I only watched this Spike Lee classic recently and was totally blown away with every aspect of this movie. How Edward Norton did not get an Oscar nomination defies explanation but also serves to prove what a farce the Academy Awards are. This is movie making at it's best as one lives every raw emotion that Norton extracts. The entire cast give a stellar performance and none more than Barry Pepper and Rosario Dawson. The haunting musical score and New York 'sidewalk atmosphere' uplifts the movie. As for the oft underrated Norton, he lived his character to the max with such conviction one actually felt a little sorry for a bad guy on his way to the pen. Great to also see Spike Lee stepping out of his comfort zone and turn a fabulous novel into one of the all time cinematic masterpieces. A resounding 10/10 !
rajatdahiyax
The clock is ticking on Monty Brogan's freedom--in 24 hours he goes to prison for seven long years. Once a king of Manhattan, Monty is about to say goodbye to the life he knew--a life that opened doors in New York's swankiest clubs but also alienated him from the people closest to him. In his last day on the outside, Monty tries to reconnect with his father, who's never given up on his son, and gets together with his two closest friends from the old days, Jacob and Slaughtery. Also in the mix is his girlfriend, Naturelle, who (or might not) have been the one who tipped off the cops. Monty's not sure of much these days. But with time running out, there are a lot of choices to be made.