40 days and 40 nights (2002)
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Shannyn Sossamon, Paulo Costanzo, Adam Trese, Emmanuelle Vaugier, Lorin Heath, Aaron Trainor, Glenn Fitzgerald, Monet Mazur, Christine Chatelain, Keegan Connor Tracy, Michael C. Maronna, Vinessa Shaw, Stefanie von Pfetten, Stanley Anderson
Director: Michael Lehmann
Running Time: 96 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 15
Comedy, Romance
On DVD On reflection, is it really that difficult for a teenage boy to abstain from sex for 40 days? I am sure there are plenty of people that go months, if not years without sex.
But with that as the movie's rather weak premise, Matt Sullivan (Harnett) takes a vow of celibacy in order to get over ex girlfriend Nicole (Vaugier) and the complexities of casual sex. His 'dood' friends set up a sweepstake on how many days he will survive before falling victim to the 'pleasures of the flesh'.
Intent of remaining true to his 40 day vow, Matt engrosses himself in all manner of daily chores, but while at the laundrette, meets the girl of his dreams Erica (Sossamon) who promptly sweeps him off his feet. But can their relationship last 40 days when they cannot so much as even kiss?
It's as simple as that. A fairly uninspired movie, with a few laughs. Ideal watching for a Sunday afternoon when you've nothing better to do.
DVD Extras: A promotional teaser and a director's commentary. Very poor indeed.
It's Got: Two gorgeous main characters
It Needs: A more plausible storyline
Alternatives: Pretty Woman, Bend it Like Beckham
Summary: While Hartnett is a good male lead, he doesn't quite pull it off (no pun intended) successfully in this quirky movie about sex. It's not over funny and certainly nothing new. Complete with hugely predictable 'does he get the girl?' ending and over the top characters - as a romantic comedy, it succeeds at entertaining, if only barely.
Review Date: 1st May 2003
External Links
40 days and 40 nights at the IMDB
