The Flipcritic

Though sex comedies are all the rage now in Hollywood, I find rarely any of them amusing (with the exception of AMERICAN PIE). Most of them are reprehensible, viewing sex as teenagers would (but they are targeted towards that demographic). Hollywood seems to be going through a phase where it is obsessed with bodily fluids, and going into 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS, I was expecting the same type of crassness. The movie shocked me, but in such a positive manner, that I left the theatre smiling and impressed. Here is a comedy where instead of sex controlling its characters, we have a character trying to be in control of sex.

The film's center is Matt (Josh Hartnett of BLACK HAWK DOWN), who has just gone through a heartwrenching breakup with his now ex-girlfriend Nicole (Vinessa Shaw). He compensates for his loss by dating a lot and thus, ending up in the sack with his dates. After a while, he despises himself for this practice, and even gets panic attacks while in bed with his partner. He realizes that he is still not over the breakup and to purge himself of his pain and guilt, he swears of sex along with any type of intimate contact with anyone (including himself), for 40 days and 40 nights. He comes across this idea after conversing with his brother John (Adam Trese). After a priest finds about what Matt has embarked upon he replies, "Oh... Oh dear!"

At first he finds it liberating. He is able to concentrate on many other important things (like work) now that sex is out of the picture. But once his friend Ryan finds out in disbelief, the 'vow' leaks to his officemates, who just happen to be web developers. They put out a website with a betting pool on when Matt will break his promise. Soon everybody is trying to break his focus with everything from bribes, an invitation to a threesome, a girl photocopying her behind with her number on it, and even a visit from his domineering ex. Things really get complicated when he falls for a nice young woman at a laundromat named Erica (Shannyn Sossamon of A KNIGHT'S TALE) who also falls for him. Soon he struggles mightily to survive his undertaking in very funny sequences.

This film could have fallen into the pits of stupidity or tastelessness at many points, but it doesn't, which is so shockingly wonderful about it. At one point, since his 'abstinence' is advertised on porn sites (and Erica just happens to be a cybernanny), Matt rushes to Erica to see if she knows. It is here that the movie could have gone on autopilot creating weird situations where Matt has to hide the truth and possibly make a fool of himself. But miraculously, he doesn't try to hide it. he admits to it rather than making excuses. He genuinely likes her enough not to insult her intelligence. The film could have also made Erica so closed off to Matt's ordeal, but she takes the time to listen. He goes to the point to tell her about his ex and how he feels. She doesn't like it, but she tries to understand.

Not only is 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS mature, but it is also unusually brave. Almost every sexual comedy nowadays is edited in such a way to take out T&A (tits and ass). Most of them tease, while this film is upfront. It doesn't take sex in a pubescent manner, it takes it for what it is. It knows men's fantasies such as sexy women eating bananas, or possible lesbian touching. Many of the women here are very aggressive towards Matt, but they don't do it to tease, they do it for the money (and insightfully for the upper hand in the battle of the sexes). Yes there are nude scenes, but they aren't out of place. They fit exactly as they should, and not as spectacles for the audience to be appalled at.

Despite the movie's refreshing sensibility, it has some very funny moments. None more hilarious than when Matt fakes an orgasm so badly his partner tells him, "You are such a bad liar." There are other side-splitting sequences involving erections, viagra, hallucinations, and a dream which he flies across breast-hills (you have to see it to believe it). However juvenile these situations may sound, they are done quite tactfully.

One of the main reasons why the movie is able to maintain such a non-offensive stance is due to its lead Josh Hartnett. He has such a charming command mixed with an uncommon sense of responsibility for such a young man. Even though his character is a womanizer, he doesn't seem to be the type. He projects a decency and class that is rare among actors in their 20s, and could even be mentioned among affable leading men such as the likes of John Cusack and Hugh Jackman. And yes, the man can act (PEARL HARBOR was not his fault. See BLACK HAWK DOWN to see what a quality actor he is). Ladies, who cares about the overrated Ben Affleck when you watch this guy?

Another reason why the film is wiser than its peers is because it cares about the concerns of its characters. This is a trait that Michael Lehman displayed marvelously in his THE TRUTH ABOUT CATS AND DOGS. Some of the circumstances in this film could be considered offensive, but the director shows how much Matt is sick of sex and the baggage it carries. We see that he really wants to change, that he really cares for Erica, and that he wants to prove a point. Even though what happens to him is funny, we feel for him and hope that he succeeds.

When I first found out about 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS, I was skeptical. I thought to myself, what's so hard about that? And to my surprise, the film knows about this thinking as well! One of Matt's female officemates comments, "Women have been doing that for years." It is this quality that makes this film fine entertainment. It is intelligent, honest, and in many ways grown up (except for the scene prior to the ending which is kind of cruel). It has a sweetness that is rare in sex comedies along with insight and frankness that are even rarer. Like a cold glass of water during a hot summer day, it's refreshing.

Posted by FLIPCRITIC at June 1, 2002 11:17 PM