25th Hour (2002)

Set in the aftermath of 9/11, a drug dealer (Edward Norton) has 24 hours before he is sent to prison for seven years. In his last day on the outside, he tries to reconnect with his father (Brian Cox) and his two best friends (Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper) and then there's his girlfriend (Rosario Dawson), who may or might not have tipped off the cops. Based on the novel by David Benioff (who adapted his novel for the screen) and directed by Spike Lee (SUMMER OF SAM). Lee's DO THE RIGHT THING may be his CITIZEN KANE but 25TH HOUR may be its equal. It's a beautifully sustained piece of work that is a love letter, warts and all, to Lee's beloved New York City. Benioff's novel was written before the 9/11 tragedy but Lee has added the resonance of that event to the movie. There's an achiness that weaves itself throughout the film and not just with Norton's protagonist. Norton is wonderful here and his unfiltered "f*ck" diatribe is a standout piece of acting. Raw and intense, both ugly and beautiful, it's sticks with you. With Anna Paquin and Tony Siragusa.