40 Days and 40 Nights
This article refers to Michael Lehmann's 2002 film. For the 2007 Matthew Chapman book, see 40 Days and 40 Nights (book).
| 40 Days and 40 Nights | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster |
|
| Directed by | Michael Lehmann |
| Produced by | Tim Bevan Eric Fellner Michael London |
| Written by | Robert Perez |
| Starring | Josh Hartnett Shannyn Sossamon Paulo Costanzo Maggie Gyllenhaal Vinessa Shaw Keegan Connor Tracy |
| Music by | Rolfe Kent |
| Cinematography | Elliot Davis |
| Editing by | Nicholas C. Smith |
| Studio | StudioCanal Working Title Films |
| Distributed by | Miramax Films (USA) Universal Pictures (International) Alliance Atlantis (Canada) |
| Release date(s) | March 1, 2002 |
| Running time | 96 minutes |
| Country | United States United Kingdom France |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $17 million[citation needed] |
| Box office | $95,146,283[1] |
40 Days and 40 Nights is a 2002 romantic comedy film directed by Michael Lehmann, written by Rob Perez and starring Josh Hartnett, Shannyn Sossamon and Paulo Costanzo. The film depicts the life of Matt Sullivan, who abstains from any sexual contact for the duration of Lent.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
Matt Sullivan (Josh Hartnett) and his roommate, Ryan (Paulo Costanzo), are co-workers at a San Francisco dot-com company. Matt is obsessed with his ex-girlfriend, Nicole (Vinessa Shaw), who has just gotten engaged. He confides to his brother, John (Adam Trese), who is training to become a Catholic priest, that he has sexual problems because of his obsession. Matt vows to go without sex for 40 days and 40 nights for Lent. John warns Matt that celibacy is not easy, and Ryan starts a popular office pool to bet on how long Matt can last.
Matt meets Erica (Shannyn Sossamon), a cyber nanny, and begin to date. They face many challenges in their relationship, including her discovery of his celibacy vow and Matt's continuing feelings for Nicole. Matt's co-workers make many unsuccessful attempts to persuade him to have sex in order to win the pool, and as the days pass Matt's obsession with sex grows.
Erica and Matt plan a special encounter for the 40th night to celebrate him successfully completing his vow. On the 40th day, a newly single Nicole learns of the pool. She makes a large bet and rapes Matt while he is asleep. Erica believes Matt dishonored his vow and was unfaithful to her, but Matt wins Erica back by reminding her of the special moments they shared during their relationship. The two reconcile in Matt's bedroom for many hours, with his co-workers betting on the duration of their stamina.
[edit] Cast
- Josh Hartnett as Matt Sullivan
- Shannyn Sossamon as Erica Sutton
- Paulo Costanzo as Ryan
- Maggie Gyllenhaal as Sam
- Vinessa Shaw as Nicole
- Adam Trese as John Sullivan
- Griffin Dunne as Jerry Anderson
- Keegan Connor Tracy as Mandy
- Emmanuelle Vaugier as Susie
- Monet Mazur as Candy
- Christine Chatelain as Andie
- Stanley Anderson as Father Maher
- Lorin Heath as Diana
- Glenn Fitzgerald as Chris
- Jarrad Paul as Duncan
- Terry Chen as Neil
- Kai Lennox as Nick
- Chris Gauthier as Mikey
- Barry Newman as Walter Sullivan
- Mary Gross as Bev Sullivan
- Dylan Neal as David Brokaw
[edit] Production
40 Days and 40 Nights was filmed on location at Potrero Hill, San Francisco, California.
[edit] Reception
[edit] Critical response
The film received mixed reviews, Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a score of 38% based on reviews from 134 critics.[2] Metacritic gives the film a score of 53% based on reviews from 33 critics.[3]
Critic Roger Ebert gives the film 3 out of 4 stars. He praises director Michael Lehmann for raising the film above the level of sexual sitcom through his sympathy for his characters and use of humor to examine human nature. He also credits writer Rob Perez for dialogue about sex with "more complexity and nuance than we expect". Not wanting to reveal too much Ebert explains he was dissatisified with the ending saying "Nicole's entire participation is offensive and unnecessary, and that there was a sweeter and funnier way to resolve everything."[4]
[edit] Box office
The film earned a worldwide total of over $95 million.[1]
[edit] Awards
In 2005 Empire magazine included the film on its list of Worst Sex Scenes.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ a b "40 Days and 40 Nights (2002)". Box Office Mojo. Amazon.com. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=40daysand40nights.htm.
- ^ 40 Days and 40 Nights Movie Reviews, Pictures. Rotten Tomatoes (Flixster). Retrieved 2009-11-14.
- ^ 40 Days and 40 Nights Reviews, Ratings, Credits. Metacritic. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ^ "40 Days And 40 Nights :: rogerebert.com :: Reviews". Chicago Sun-Times. March 1, 2002. http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20020301/REVIEWS/203010301/1023.
- ^ Showgirls clinches worst movie sex scene award. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
[edit] External links
- Official website
- 40 Days and 40 Nights at the Internet Movie Database
- 40 Days and 40 Nights at AllRovi
- 40 Days and 40 Nights at Rotten Tomatoes
- 40 Days and 40 Nights at Box Office Mojo
|
|||||||||||
- 2002 films
- American films
- British films
- French films
- English-language films
- 2000s romantic comedy films
- American romantic comedy films
- American sex comedy films
- British romantic comedy films
- French comedy films
- Films directed by Michael Lehmann
- Films set in California
- Films set in San Francisco, California
- Films shot in San Francisco, California
- StudioCanal films
- Working Title Films films
- Universal Pictures films
- Miramax Films films
