Hey folks, Harry here with a review of Josh Hartnett's leading man romantic comedy flick that is on the verge of existence (much later this year) via the lovely Evelyn Mulwrey. This film isn't slated for release till August 24th at this point and that is just about forever in terms of test screenings. In all liklihood this was the first time the studio itself saw the film as well, but ya know what folks, this film is in transition... finding the kinks and figuring out what to keep and lose... I recommend keeping the scene filled with naked beautiful women... Just a male moment folks... Here's Evelyn...
Hey Harry!
It’s Evelyn Mulwrey, back with another test screening review after a brief absence. This time I’m here to tell you about Josh Hartnett’s new flick, 40 Days and 40 Nights. The screening was Thrusday on the Universal lot. It was perhaps the smallest screening I’ve been to – with about 45 suits and filmmakers to 65 audience. The film is written and directed by the guy who did The Truth and Cats and Dogs, I film which I liked quite a bit. I’m also an avid member of the "Josh Hartnett is a really underrated actor and is going to be a big star soon" club. I thought he was great in the Faculty, he was the only watchable thing in Here on Earth, and perfectly captured that one guy from high school in The Virgin Suicides.
The premise of the film is that Mr. Hartnett plays a young Bay Area web designer who got dumped by his girlfriend Nicole three months ago and has spent the interim sleeping with every pretty little thing that crosses his path. He confesses to his brother, the priest, that this black hole opens up before him during these meaningless encounters and all he can think of is Nicole. Discovering that it is the first day of lent (though I didn’t see anyone with ash on their forehead) he decides to give up sex for 40 days. Not only sex, but also anything to do with sex and the clincher – no masterbation. But, of course, on the first day of his vow he meets the girl of his dreams and doesn’t know what to do about it.
Overall, the film was very enjoyable and Mr. Hartnett gets to prove his hand at comedy, further impressing me with his great onscreen presence. The thing is, nobody in the film seems to think about anything but getting off. There are some wonderful scenes between the couple (I don’t know who the girl was), but I felt like it could have gone a little deeper. I never really got why the vow was so important to him. He talks a lot about how it means something to him and it helped him get over Nicole; but it just kind of plays like a plot device to keep him and Emily (the perfect girl) apart. I know the whole concept of a romantic comedy is to create two characters and find a way to keep them apart, but as Billy Wilder says "the more subtle and elegant you are in hiding your plot points the better you are as a writer."
My other problem I had, the one that really bugged me during the film, was that every woman in the film is gorgeous! This makes sense towards the end when he’s going crazy and sees naked women everywhere, but come on! I can’t imagine that ever woman at windownet.com is 5’9", long legged, wearing miniskirts, tight shirts, stiletto heels and ready to throw herself onto a man at a moments whim. It’s just silly!
Anyway, those are the things that keep the film from achieving something greater then an entertaining little romantic comedy with charming leads and a great soundtrack – which is what it is. Oh, and for all you guys out there, you’ll love the dream sequence at the end – trust me. J
Evelyn Mulwrey
