40 Days and 40 Nights Review
by Homer Yen (homer_yen AT yahoo DOT com)March 8th, 2002
You'll Grin Somewhat for "Days and Nights"
Appreciating the sex farce, "40 Days and 40 Nights" will really depend on how well you can connect with the following three items. First, how do you feel about Josh Hartnett? Second, how taboo do you feel it is to have frank (really frank) conversations about sex with strangers? How well can you relate to a mind of a twenty-something whose fueled solely by his libido?
Hartnett is more likeable and human than his two previous high profile roles. He's not as sappy as his character in "Pearl Harbor" and not as sure-footed as his character in "Black Hawk Down." He finds a happy medium that gives him a chance to flex his acting and comedic muscles. He ably projects frustration in his inability to figure out what he wants, while possessing charisma and comic timing.
Hartnett plays Matt, who has a problem. Women virtually throw themselves at him. Poor guy! When one accidentally opens a door that hits his head and then subsequently asks him if she can do anything for him to make him feel better, guess where they wind up? It must be his country-boy good looks or his syrupy drawl.
He's had enough of the complications that sex brings into the equation. So, he swears it off for 40 days and nights. No one believes that he can do it. Not his co-workers, not his brother in the priesthood, and certainly not his roommate Ryan (Paulo Costanzo). In one of the funnier scenes, Ryan raids his room with a fluorescent lamp to check for bodily fluids on the sheets.
His vow stirs much attention. And the resulting dialogue is surprisingly intelligent as the film explores issues of human nature related to sex. Yet, it is also quite raw. And, this level of candidness may be a put-off for many. They freely talk about masturbation and orgasm as if they were exchanging phone numbers.
An office pool is created for Matt's vow. And as the 40-day mark approaches, our celibate hero looks noticeably edgy. Meanwhile, bettors are trying to induce Matt into caving in. One sexy co-worker even photocopies her derriere for him and gives her phone number.
A woman he meets at the laundromat further distracts him. She's Erica (Shannyn Sossamon), and while she's not as modelish as some of the other women, he detects that mysterious connection that has always been missing. Perhaps he's finally starting to understand the key to a good relationship.
Despite the mutual attraction, he values his vow, and their initial courtship is awkward. He gives her a high-five at the end of their date instead of a kiss. And she wonder what's wrong with him. What's a celibate guy with raging hormones to do?
Looking back at the initial three questions at the beginning of the article, my answers are 'fine, not really, and somewhat.' So, the movie was enjoyable for the most part. Sadly, the ending will throw everything that it had worked so hard to accomplish right off track. Sex should be a beautiful by-product. And without saying anything else, the film should have found a sweeter or funnier way to come to a close. Yet the film is funny on several levels because I tend to believe that men are hopelessly drawn to S-E-X. We have no defense mechanism in place, and when men have to…er…withdraw, it's difficult and awkward and even amusing.
Grade: B-
S: 3 out of 3
L: 3 out of 3
V: 0 out of 3
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