40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS


A film review by Joe Rickey



40 Days and 40 Nights tells the story of Matt Sullivan (Josh Hartnett) who vows not to have sex during the religious time known as Lent. He makes this decision after a difficult breakup with his last girlfriend (Vinessa Shaw). Matt soon discovers that staying celibate for that amount of time is very difficult after he meets Erica, (Shannyn Sossamon) a beautiful but rather eccentric young lady. Can Matt keep his promise or will he break it with Erica?

The premise is actually quite a unique twist on the old romantic comedy genre that is helped by a smart script penned by Rob Perez and smooth directing by Michael Lehmann who thankfully doesn't drag the film out too long at a little over 90 minutes. The problem with the film is that the leads Hartnett and Sossamon are beautiful but flat actors. In their hands some of the potentially humorous dialog comes across as dry and uninspired.


Overall, 40 Days and 40 Nights is a solid entry into the romantic comedy genre because of its smart script. It's dragged down from being a truly top-notch romance because of blasé performances by its two leads.

Rating: 80

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joe@currentlyplaying.com

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Rating Scale:
90-100: Run to it,youre dead or a jealous aspiring screenwriter if you don't like it! Okay to pay full price! (Excellent= A)
80-90: Good, but not a classic. If you like this genre, you will like the film. If you're not sure that you like these kind of movies, a matinee would be a safer bet.(Good = B)
70-80: There are redeeming factors to this movie, and it has high points and low points. Worth a matinee depending on how close to 80 the rating is, a video rental if closer to 70. Nothing real special about it. (Fair = C)
60-70: Barely passing! Only slightly entertaining, not worth paying for at the movie theater. Rent it if you like this type of film otherwise stay away! (Poor = D)
50-60: Don't even rent this! Unless you like BAD movies. (Failure = F)
0-50: Run from it! Boycott the video store that would carry it! This is HORRIBLE, how did it get made?
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