In the wake of 9/11 New York City, a thoughtful and personable
coke dealer (Edward Norton) sits along the river with his recently rescued pup
and ponders his last day of freedom and the limited choices they present as he
must report to prison the following day. In the meantime, he ties up loose ends
with his alcoholic father (Brian Cox) and loving but suspicious girlfriend
(Rosario Dawson) and catches up with loyal but troubled childhood pals (Barry
Pepper, Philip Seymour Hoffman). From a novel and screenplay by David Benioff, Spike
Lee’s 25th Hour is an
operatic, involving, and powerfully acted work with Norton giving one of his
finest performances and a noted, central “mirror” sequence a particular
highlight. As for the detractions, Dawson seems out of her league amongst the
other players and Cox’s narrative fantasy finale is way too much.
*** ½ out ****
