What a shame

Production Year: 2002 - Comedy - Director: Michael Lehmann - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over more

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Matt (Josh Hartnett) is having a hard time moving on six months after his relationship with bombshell Nicole (Vinessa Shaw) ended. He finds himself involved in empty physical...
more...relationships that are unfulfilling and ultimately send him fleeing. His solution is to give up sex and anything sexual for the 40 days of Lent. Initially, Matt is empowered by his decision until he meets stunning Erica (Shannyn Sossamon), the girl of his dreams, at the local laundromat. Erica doesn't know about Matt's vow of abstinence, which impacts their budding relationship. To complicate matters more, Matt's co-workers are determined to literally put their two cents in as well by establishing a betting pool about how long Matt can keep his vow. Hartnett is endearing as the clumsy Matt, who desperately wants to do the right thing. Griffin Dunne stars as Matt's sex-starved boss. Also starring Paulo Costanzo and Maggie Gyllenhaal, the film was produced by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, the team that made 'Notting Hill' and 'Bridget Jones' Diary', and directed by Michael Lehmann ('Heathers'). The city of San Francisco provides a beautiful backdrop to this modern look at love that includes a touch of crude teen-movie humour.

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What a shame

A review by Zuzie_Q on 40 Days And 40 Nights DVD
July 16th, 2007

Author's product rating: 40 Days And 40 Nights DVD - rated by Zuzie_Q

Did you enjoy it?	Disliked it
Story	Very ordinary
Characters / Performances	Unmemorable
Special Effects	Unmemorable
How does it compare to similar films?	Weak

Advantages:	Easy, lazy viewing
Disadvantages:	Disappointing overall

Recommend to potential buyers:

Full review

I was unlucky enough to fall for the idea that this film would be a hilarious, clever and well cast teen comedy (think American Pie). So I bought it on DVD, big mistake. I would be indifferent to it as a rented film or even ordered from Sky Cinema etc, it's easy viewing I'll give it that but as a bought DVD i'm embarrassed to have such a poor film in my collection. I thought the concept of living without sex for 40 days was quite a good one with funny possibilities but I can't seem to work out what audience the finished film appeals to. The themes seemed quite juveneile and aimed at those American Pie types, yet the content and characters seem under developed and adult, maybe that's why I couldn't relate.

I'm not really a fan of Josh Hartnett but he gives the most convincing and least annoying performance in the film and it's just a shame that there wasn't particularly any witty or even slapstick material to liven the film up.

Oh well, I guess I just know what I like - all I would say is it's certainly not comedy hall of fame!

More details

Soundtrack	Unmemorable
How does it compare to others by the same director?	Not applicable
Value for Money	Poor
What format are you reviewing?	DVD

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40 Days And 40 Nights [2002] Some movies are so stupid that they are depressing to watch: 40 Days and 40 Nights is one ... more of them. Almost nothing here even remotely resembles genuine human behaviour. Matt (Josh Hartnett) is brutally dumped by his knockout ex-girlfriend, and as a resu...	£ 2.38	Postage & Packaging: Check Site. Availability: Usually dispatched within 2 working days...	Visit Shop > Amazon Marketplace
40 Days And 40 Nights [2002] Some movies are so stupid that they are depressing to watch:40 Days and 40 Nightsis one of ... more them. Almost nothing here even remotely resembles genuine human behaviour. Matt (Josh Hartnett) is brutally dumped by his knockout ex-girlfriend, and as a result...	£ 5.98	Postage & Packaging: £1.46 Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...	Visit Shop > Amazon.co.uk
40 Days And 40 Nights To get over his last serious girlfriend Matt Sullivan (Josh Hartnett) turned to sex. Lots ... more of it. But Matt realised that he needed to go further; to go where no man has gone before. No sex. Whatsoever. For 40 days. That's tough at the best of times but ...	£ 5.99	Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 Working Days	Visit Shop > Play.com (Films)