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40 Days and 40 Nights
40 Days and 40 Nights
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2 Stars
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Rating
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R
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Director
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Michael Lehmann
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The Ultimate Sacrifice
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Starring
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Josh Hartnett
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Shanynn Sossamon
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Vinessa Shaw
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Paulo Costanzo
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Matt (Josh Hartnett), dumped by his girlfriend Nicole (Vinessa Shaw), finds his remedy for the situation is to score with every woman who turns him on in the slightest. He is keeping score and is willing to confess his sexual triumphs when he talks to a priest, who happens to be his brother. Oddly enough Matt is not as happy as he thought he'd be and the brothers' discussion on Lent and how its practice of sacrifice and self-denial can lead to growth, prompts Matt's decision on how he should handle his sexual depression. For a period of 40 days and 40 nights, he will not have sex or even fool around…nil, nada.
Matt's roommate Ryan (Paulo Costanzo) thinks this is impossible and before long a betting pool that rivals the Super Bowl has been set up at work in which the choice is the day that Matt gives in to his sexual desires. The farcical tone of the film is captured by a blue light inspection of Matt's bed sheets to determine the presence of any seminal fluids.
Matt seems to be on track to achieving his vow of chastity until he meets another lonely soul, Erica (Shannyn Sossamon), in the local laundromat. She wonders if something is wrong with her because of Matt's reluctance to take things beyond just a teasing relationship. Later she learns of Nicole being at the root of this bizarre behavior and it's no surprise when the two woman eventually pass in the hallway going to and from Matt's apartment.
The mentality of the men in "40 Days" is along the line of Jack Black in "Shallow Hal." Where many teen comedies have flatulence as the core of much of the humor, this young adult comedy finds that being in a state of a permanent erection is man's ultimate achievement.
I found myself chuckling during many parts of the film even though it never really struck me as being laugh out loud funny. Although the premise of the story is somewhat silly, I saw numerous opportunities for it to play out with more humor and deeper insight about relationships. While there was humor, anything to do with a meaningful introspection of dating was at best superficial. What we got was a fashion show of attractive young men and women, out to do what most twenty-somethings do, party hardy.
There's not a whole lot bad to say about the movie-it's just that there's not a lot of good to say about it either. If your idea of a good romantic comedy is one that touches your heart, you'll be more interested in "Serendipity" or "Kate and Leopold." However, if your funny bone is tickled by the likes of "American Pie" and "Not Another Teen Movie," this might be just what you are looking for.
Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity and language
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