The 24th Day

Rating:
Summary: Some tense moments, but it's somewhat predictable.
Review: 24th Day, a gay psychological suspense thriller, has some moments of slick, polished thrills, but the movie is ultimately flawed by its stagy, histrionic pretensions. Looking more like a second rate off Broadway play, than a fully-fledged motion picture, the movie suffers from a repetitive and rather tedious storyline, which gets old relatively quickly. While the performances of Scott Speedman and James Marsden are strong, the premise suffers from a lack of credibility: I didn't once believe that these two men were gay or remotely attracted to other men - you never see them kissing each other, or other men, even in the flashbacks. They come across as two straight actors playing quasi-gay roles, who were probably just too frightened to kiss each other in case it negatively impacted their careers.

The story centers on Tom (Speedman), an easygoing short order cook who allows himself to be picked up by Dan (Marsden), an attractive aspiring filmmaker. Tom takes Dan back to his run-down apartment where they have an affable discussion about movies and continue drinking. Tom soon becomes un-relaxed and starts inappropriately questioning Dan about his sexual history. Tom confesses that he's very inexperienced and that he's only slept with a man once before, five years ago. The man gave him HIV, and he suspects that this man may be Dan.

There are a couple of tense scenes as Dan tries to escape, and then tries to get the upper hand by faking sympathy for Tom. But the endless scenes of Tom, yet again, taping Dan's mouth shut to prevent him from talking become a bit repetitive. But the film does work as a pretty astute exercise in denial: Dan is a slick, smooth operator, who is convinced to the point of defiance that he's always been safe, even when Tom tries to convince him otherwise. The viewer never really knows whether Dan is lying or whether he sincerely believes that he always wore condoms even when he was too drunk to remember. Tom, on the other hand, with his cute blond locks, is the diffident guy with loads of charm, but he manipulates the situation, blocking Dan's advances and seducing him at the same time, then erupting in a mountain of anger and bitterness.

The atmosphere is suitably claustrophobic as nearly all the action is confined to Tom's apartment. And both Speedman and Marsden, through their strained conversation, beautifully convey the anxiety and tension of the characters. The movie does do a relatively good job of showing the psychological warfare that takes place between the two characters. There are also some interesting questions raised about who should be taking responsibility for practicing safe sex along with the sometimes-indistinct motivations of men who don't necessarily identify as gay, but who have sex with men. These relevant and timely messages, however, can't make up or the predictable and conventional conclusion that most viewers will see coming a mile off. Mike Leonard December 04.


Rating:
Summary: Best Gay Film I've Seen in a Long Time
Review: As an above average comsumer of gay films I must say that this movie is one of the best that I have seen. Why? Because it doesn't rely on the tired formula of most gay movies. No coming out struggles, no 'people hate me' attitudes--just a strong story about a married man who gave in to his sexual cravings 5 years ago with another man.

The story isn't about HIV or AIDS, its about responsibility and accountability. This is also a movie that has a surprise ending, so I can't relay too much of the story. Did he become infected from a same-sex one-night stand? Did his wife bring the disease home from her own infedelity? Watch and find out.

Rating:
Summary: a masterpiece of modest porportions
Review: having seen THE 24th DAY, i must tell all serious film goers that this film although done on a small budget is one of the best films i've seen in years.the story is very intense and the writing sensational. very rare in the schlock that the industry seems to be turning out lately. should anyone reading this know of the actors Scott Speedman and James Marsden's past work, trust me when i say these two performances will blow you away.you will leave the theatre drained with MUCH to talk about for quite some time. i will not mention the story line due to all the turns it makes. after 10 minutes i trust that no one will be able to turn away. its that powerful. glad i could be the first to write something on this little masterpiece.

Rating:
Summary: a real sleeper!
Review: I rented this film knowing nothing about the storyline or actors.
Boy was I surprised! The story and action keep you glued to the
screen. Characters and story are real and move you regardless of tthe content. They are amazingly believable..after all that's what acting is all about.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant Performances
Review: Scott Speedman and James Marsden have never been known for their acting skills. They are not bad actors by any means, but it was their good looks that made them popular. However, in 24th Day, these 2 actors turn in two of the most intense and honest performances of the year. The two star in this drama about a guy who is HIV+. One believes it's because he had a one night stand with the other, and he's the one who gave it to him. He kidnaps and holds him hostage until they find out the blood results. If he is negative, he's free to go. If he's positive he will kill him. This film is intense, suspensful, and heartbreaking. It gets a little too chatty at times, but the actors are so brilliant that it never gets boring. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Effective social commentary for gay/straight community
Review: The 24th day is essentially a play produced for the screen. That, to me, is a good thing. It makes certain that the playwright's dialogue is maintained and that the focus stays on that dialogue. This was used effectively with "The Boys in the Band," "Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean," and several others.
As a community, homosexuals have had their fair share of plays and films that have ranted and raved against the government inaction on AIDS (The Normal Heart; And the Band Played On), awareness raising of self-imposed discrimination against those with AIDS (Jeffrey; Longtme Companion) and general "aint we got it bad" plays (Love, Valour, Compassion; Parting Glances). Not all of these have been great, but they have been intriguing and thought provoking - just what was necessary. Unfortunately, as we've grown accustomed to the reality of AIDS in our lives, we've also become desensitized to the reality of it. There is an entire generation out there that has never known a world without AIDS and safe sex as a mantra. There is a contingent present that chooses to ignore the realities of the disease and its indescriminate behavior. They are the men (and women) that The 24th Day addresses. True it only speaks directly about gay men and "straight" men who stray, but it is the first real play/film to take this attitude to task.
Dan (James Marsden) is a hot film producer out for an evening of fun with his best "girl" friend at (what ostensibly appears to be) a straight bar. However, he manages to get picked up by (or pick up) Tom (Scott Speedman). They retire to Tom's apartment. There Dan discovers that Tom has been stalking him because he believes that Dan gave him AIDS five years previous on his once and only time sleeping with a man.
Since this much is told on the DVD cover, I've not given anything away. In fact, more could be said without giving away the whole plot, simply because this is less a film about action and plot than it is a character study about sexual responsiblity.
The acting is very good and the set is effective (it is basically a single set for the entire film - remember it is a play to film). If I had any gripes it would be that the play and the film tend to get redundant in the dialogue about halfway through. There seems to be more antagonistic behavior and less actual character development (especially of Dan) than I would like to see. That said, it is important to remember that I think the playwrite was intending that this play be about "everyman" and thus didn't want to bog the play down with heavy details about individuals and take the emphasis off the intended audience. I think this is bold, but ultimately speaks a bit down to the audience, assuming that they wouldn't be able to glean the information from the essence of the material - which is strong.
The DVD is very light on extras, but then this isn't a film you watch for the extras.

I think you'll enjoy this film.

Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Films of 2004!
Review: THE 24TH DAY is quite simply one of the finest achievements in American film making in the past year. Based on his play of the same name, writer and director Tony Piccirillo establishes his credentials as one of our more potent and important talents with the release of this exceptional 'first feature'. Not only is the script one of the best pieces of writing around, the acting of here-to-for underused pretty boys James Marsden and Scott Speedman is of the quality for which awards were invented.

After opening credits (which only in retrospect tell the entire story in beautifully executed photography), the story begins in a singles bar and moves slowly to the musty, dark, cluttered apartment of Tom (Scott Speedman from 'Underworld', 'Duets', etc) where it becomes clear that his 'guest' Dan (James Marsden of 'The Notebook' and the 'X Men' series - a 31 year old actor who lost out on the lead role in 'Primal Fear' to Edward Norton!) has been cruising Tom with the intention of a sexual tryst for the evening. With graceful, subtle dialogue we are seduced into the verbal foreplay of the apparent tryst until BANG! - Tom informs Dan that they had an evening of sex five years ago (Dan was drunk and doesn't remember) and since that has been Tom's only gay sexual liaison: Tom has been stalking Dan in revenge for his transmitting HIV to Tom, a transmission which has resulted in Tom's wife falling victim to AIDS and dying in a car crash 24 days ago!

Tom therefore becomes the captor and Dan the captive in this two-person drama. Dan is tied and gagged and Tom withdraws a syringe of Dan's blood, which he then takes to have tested for HIV. If Dan is HIV positive, Tom will kill him: if Dan is negative he will be free to go. The entire story takes place in this grungy apartment as a dialogue between Tom the avenger and Dan the victim who declares his seronegativity and opens the multipronged discussion of such topics as truth ('THE truth or YOUR truth" they each spar), AIDS, gay vs. bisexual vs. straight, sex without love or commitment, etc.

The relationship between captor and captive goes through many permutations, each more startling and frightening than the last until the story reaches its almost unbearably surprise climax. In the end the audience is left to resolve the final issues presented - a trait of a truly fine playwright. The messages and the impact of this movie are some of the more powerful on film.

We can only hope to see much more of the gifted Tony Piccirillo's work, both as a brilliant writer and as a tautly sensitive director. The real surprise (in a film full of professional surprises) is the caliber of acting from James Marsden and Scott Speedman. The are both startlingly fine: each actor creates his character so fully that our identification with each man's plight plays like a ping pong game with every soliloquy. There is an underlying animal sexual attraction between the two, even as the initial ploy of an evening of anonymous sex turns bitterly sour, and this interplay makes the story's end all the more poignant. These two fine actors each deliver the quality of performance that deserves Oscar attention.

Without reservation this film is high on the list of the finest 'indie movies' (read very low budget) of the year. Everyone who admires the art of cinema should see, no - buy!, this film. Grady Harp, October 2004

Rating:
Summary: Thought provoking story with superb dialogs
Review: The film is very intense from the start but the real story is unveiled step by step adding spice to curious spectators. The action is focused on the superb dialogs between captor and captive, the reasons the captor has for the kidnapping and the tricks the latter plays in order to break free.

Half way the film it is inevitable to start making judgment about both characters (watch the movie to know why), and for sure after the end, or even earlier, you will be involved in a moral disquisition with other watching the film or with yourself, why not?

All in all it is a recommendable film with enough suspense to engage the viewer and a very interesting and credible story.


Rating:
Summary: Two great leads couldn't save this material.
Review: The movie is adapted from a stage play, and it probably should have stayed on the stage. The dialog doesn't hold up well and it gets tedious and annoying very quickly.

We barely get to know either of the leads before things go from good to bad to worse, so I wasn't all that interested or invested in their stories. In fact, we know almost nothing about James Marsden's character, even at the close of the movie.

The resolution, if you can call it that, is anti-climactic, the musical score is zero, and the set is as depressing and without hope as the story, characters, and ending.

I admit that I prefer fun movies, but thought-provoking and interesting movies appeal to me too. These leads are eye candy, and there are one or two moments (in the entire movie) where they have a chance to shine, but these moments can't carry the vast majority of this clunker.

There is a message here, and it's mostly a good one, but this film's heavy-handedness, violence, and unaffecting dialog serve the message poorly. Not recommended.

Rating:
Summary: good good
Review: well...i think the mivie was great, low budget but good performance from those two hot guys..!
i saw it and it shocked me.
after watching it, i decide to break up with my .... f--- buddy, lets put it that way.
it teaches you a lot dont miss it