Doyle's Law (25th Hour)

I was prepared to begin 28 Days, as I thought this was the movie on our shelf to follow 13 Conversations About One Thing, and in its place, I found 25th Hour. Although this was the first time I watched 25th Hour, I was glad to see it was written/directed by Spike Lee and starred Edward Norton. Expectations are set as it will likely be a story worth watching.

The story seems to be about a beaten man who was consumed by the city in which he lives. The scenery around him, the people, his father, his friends and his past. The 25th Hour allows for reflection, regret, and examination of the life he led.

The movie is more than a reflection on the way one leads his life though. It's a reflection on whether incarceration rehabilitates or destroys. 25th Hour questions whether the punishment fits the crime. Sure, we realize that Edward Norton's Monty would still be a practicing drug dealing businessman if he'd not been caught. However, Monty points out that by the time he is released from prison, he'll be 38 with a record, no college education and a completely ruined life, and that's the best case scenario assuming that nothing horrible happens to him while in prison. It seems to be no coincidence that Monty's best friend is Frank (Barry Pepper) who takes advantage of the misfortune of others by short selling stocks on a hunch about unemployment numbers going up. Though this was only partially pertinent in 2002 - shortly after 9/11, it seems as though Spike Lee recognized that fast individual profit comes at the expense of others. Enron seems like a distant memory in light of the recent events of financial institutions and Wall Street. I also believe it to be completely intentional that this movie takes place in New York City/Manhattan.

I don't believe we see regret for the lives ruined by the drugs he sold - other than his own. However, we do know that in the case of drug abuse, it takes more than one to commit the crime. The question is - which crime are we referring to? Is it the crime of selling drugs - doing drugs - or does it go deeper than that? Would Monty have stopped if his father or girlfriend or two best friends had thrown an intervention for him? It's safe to say that he wouldn't have stopped, but - as Frank points out to Naturelle (Rosario Dawson) - she had to know where the money was coming from but certainly didn't turn down the gifts, trips and lifestyle that Monty's profession afforded them. Perhaps Naturelle, his father and friends are supposed to be the symbolic voices of a nation that has ignored our addiction to a quick buck and 401K accounts that earn 30%.

I agree, in that, there is so much going on here that it would be difficult to choose one theme. This may be especially evident in one of the most powerful scenes, which I will call the 'bathroom mirror scene' where Monty is spoken to by his reflection in the mirror on a rant of blame using the people, events, and city surrounding him as scapegoats to explain his current situation playing the victim. Motivated by a profain statement written on the mirror, the audience is taken on a tour of the diversity of New York ripped apart by anger, guilt, and disgust. It is almost like an option or path to take to explain his past. The resolve is his own response to this rant taking accountability for his actions and rejecting placing blame on others.

The symbolism of Doyle, the dog practically left for dead, taken in by Monty that opens the film, is an exceptional addition. It seems that those beaten down by society or for whatever reason may be pushed aside for someone else to deal with...or left to fend for themselves. One watching the film may wonder if Monty takes in Doyle in a way that he would appreciate the nurturing and safety.

He Said, "It's a Blind Buyer!" Given the current state of our country, and the price you would pay for this move (probably no more than $7.50), this movie has quite a bit going for it on multiple viewings. Starting with this being one of Spike Lee's better movies on par with Do the Right Thing and Malcolm X, this movie is a character study that also forces us to consider social issues in a Dostoevsky-like manner. Right and wrong are relative to who's in control society (it's no irony the law that seal's Monty's future is called the Rockefeller Law). The cast is simply amazing as well - Edward Norton, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper, Rosario Dawson, Anna Paquin and Brian Cox all give their all in the scenes and they show that they understand the material.

A very well done character study that is engaging from start to finish. I recommend 25th Hour to those looking for a thought-provoking, socially conscious film.