Squeeze it in next 24 hrs. Review on 25th Hour Movie

It's a cool movie. After a long time seeing a movie gave me an experience similar to reading a book. It IS indeed based on a book.

This's a story of a long time drug dealer who is finally busted. He has 24 hours to do whatever he can with his life, before he goes to gaol for seven long years. And we know, that may be the end of Monty as we know him. He knows he has messed up big time in his life and now has reached no return. What he chooses to do in these 24 hours really made me think if I could be upto it! What will YOU do in his situation ?

Monty tries to connect back to two of his best pals, Frank and Jakob, his father and his girl. All these play a vital role in the movie and ample time has been spent to introduce these characters. They all share what they feel about Monty's fate in front of him and behind his back, within them. Jakob is straight laced school teacher and the Frank is hot-shot wall street-smart broker. These two characters are entirely opposite personalities (one is a total loser and other a swashbuckler) and thier reactions are unique to the situations that unfold. Jakob plays the conscience while Frank plays the rationale behind this concept. Monty's girl Naturalle (cho-chweet name) is also a colorful character that has been portrayed forcefully in the movie. All the leads act effortlessly. They all feel like real, in-the-flesh people and as true New Yorkers as they come. The entire movie is about one-on-one interactions all these people have and the thoughts they share about the same thing: Monty's impending doom.

And this movie is as much about New York. So much so, that it becomes a character in the movie. The whole movie has a lingering and at times intrusive presence of post-911 New York and conveys how the central character feels much the same apocalyptic gloom. There's a 5 minute venom-spewing interlude scene in rest-room. You got to see it to believe whats going on. I being one of the targeted communities was outraged by the scene. But, that's what it is meant to do. The xenophobic diatribe that did some rounds in US is explicit here. Ground zero also features which bring in so much sadness. There's a scene towards the end of the movie (the so called 25th hour) which exonerated the director of any malicious intent.

The movie is really long, maybe about 2.5 hours and does lose grip towards the end. But, this is off-set by a simply superb ending. The end was what director meant by the 25th hour I guess. Maan, it's a beautiful title to the film ! You feel for this guy. I did shed a tear ..

This is a user-friendly version of ''Requiem for the dream''. You got to be in that type of self-effacing, masochistic movies to enjoy it. I really should caution this.

So sad the movie totally bombed at the box office. And I also saw it by fluke. Thank god, lest I had missed a gem. I am gonna see all spike lee films now. Already rented Malcom X.

Movie's central message is simple. It's your life and it is shaped by the choices you make. Treat it right. Handle it with care. Don't be in the situation where you have to dream about the 25th hour that will never come. It's a short life, so don't lose your friends and dear ones. I was so moved by it, I've made 5 phone calls to India so far :))