How to Watch 25th Hour Online

Spike Lee's 2002 drama is one of the best films to tackle 9/11. It's an intense story about a convicted drug dealer who must spend the final hours of his freedom before facing a seven-year jail sentence.

25th hour is a classic Lee movie and features excellent performances from Edward Norton, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Pepper, Rosario Dawson, Anna Paquin, and Brian Cox. Its stylized cinematography and people mover shots highlight the emotions of its characters.

Cinematography

The cinematography of a film plays a huge role in enhancing the overall look and feel of the story being told. The camera placement, lighting, framing and composition are just a few of the many things that go into the creation of a film. It's a delicate balancing act that must be done perfectly to ensure the audience is fully engaged in the story being told.

Choosing the right camera for each shot is critical. Whether it be a small point and shoot or a full-blown digital camera, the right choice can make or break a film.

A talented camera operator will pay close attention to the movement of each character in a scene. They may even use a different lens for each character if needed to convey their personality and emotion more effectively.

They will also consider where the actors are going to be placed in a given scene. The location is important because it will help them determine the best angle to frame the shot.

The film stock used is another major decision that needs to be made. Advancements in film emulsion and grain structure have allowed for a wide variety of stock to be used.

In 25th hour, director Spike Lee uses the lens to tell a compelling story of a drug dealer who spends the last 24 hours before beginning his prison sentence reevaluating his life. He and author/screenwriter David Benioff choose to set the movie in New York City during the wake of 9/11, allowing the audience to feel the repercussions that the attacks had on the city and its people.

Several scenes in 25th hour feature repeated takes and shifts in lighting that highlight the emotions of those who live within the world they portray. These moments are often accompanied by Terence Blanchard's sweeping score, which helps to enhance the drama of the film.

The cast is stellar in 25th hour, with Edward Norton (American History X), Philip Seymour Hoffman (Malcolm X), Rosario Dawson (Glee), Anna Paquin (Mississippi Blues) and Barry Pepper all providing outstanding performances. The ensemble is enhanced by great work from the rest of the production team.

Soundtrack

A well conceived score can elevate a film or show to the next level. In the case of 25th hour, composer Terence Blanchard (who also wrote the screenplay) delivers a memorable tune. In a sea of bland anthems, Blanchard stands out with a dazzling array of cues that spruce up the screen. For example, the "Ground Zero" theme is awe inspiring.

The soundtrack to this Spike Lee opus is a whopping ten discs and one bonus DVD, with over two hours of music. To make things easier on your ear, we've put together a playlist of the best songs from the movie in a convenient order. We've rated the songs by their visual and audio quality, and have included an overview of each track and a full list of its symphonic components. Hopefully that's enough to keep you from losing your mind on the train or at work.

You can find all the best tracks in our new playlist, courtesy of the fine folks at the MovieMusic Store. The best part is, you can listen to them all at the same time without breaking a sweat. You can also purchase individual albums if you'd prefer to own the complete experience.

Performances

Spike Lee's 2002 drama 25th Hour is a testament to the Bed-Stuy-do-or-die-hard director’s ability to capture the atmosphere of New York City in its immediate aftermath of 9/11. Based on David Benioff’s novel, Lee adapted the script for this story of a low-level drug dealer (Edward Norton) who celebrates his last day before a seven-year prison sentence with his girlfriend (Rosario Dawson), his two best friends (Barry Pepper and Philip Seymour Hoffman) and his father (Brian Cox).

Like many of Lee’s films, 25th Hour uses stylized cinematography to effectively underscore the emotions of those who inhabit its world. Repeated takes of the same scene, shifts in lighting and Lee’s classic “people mover” shot highlight the helplessness or lack of personal agency of the characters.

As the lead, Norton, who has a recurring role as a hapless character in Lee’s films, turns in yet another fantastic performance. The supporting cast, which also includes Rosario Dawson, Barry Pepper, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Anna Paquin, complements the central performance by adding a layer of depth to Monty’s character.

The chemistry between the actors is strong throughout the film, and their interactions with each other are especially effective. As Monty’s girlfriend Naturelle, Dawson is a standout, bringing much of the emotional weight of the film to bear. Her chemistry with Norton, Pepper and Hoffman is equally potent.

Aside from the actors, it is the score by Terence Blanchard that really sets this story apart. The sweeping score is beautifully underscored by the camerawork and dialogue in this film, and it really elevates the mood of the scenes.

One of the most iconic scenes in this movie, and perhaps the best example of Lee’s signature lyrical flair, is the famous “Warm It Up, Kane” sequence between Monty and his friends. The lyric is simple, yet powerful: “Warm it up, Kane!” It isn’t a long, intricate lyric, but the scene is nonetheless memorable, and it is the perfect example of why Spike Lee consistently surrounds himself with top talent.

Overall

Spike Lee's 25th hour is one of his most important and thoughtful films. Set in New York after the terrorist attacks of September 11, it was one of the first films that tapped into the raw emotions and sense of trauma that people felt in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.

The film follows Monty Brogan (Edward Norton), a drug dealer who has only one day before he begins a seven-year sentence for selling drugs. He spends the day reevaluating his life by visiting the places and people he cares about most. He visits with his girlfriend Naturelle (Rosario Dawson) and his childhood friends Jacob and Frank (Philip Seymour Hoffman and Barry Pepper), respectively.

As a whole, the film is slow, somber and involving. Lee is able to tap into the deepest fears of Monty’s character in a way that is unique and effective.

For example, he worries that his girlfriend Naturelle will be tipped off to his drug stash by the DEA. It is this fear that heightens his tension as he contemplates the prospect of spending the rest of his life in prison.

Aside from these specific worries, however, Monty is a very average person. He is a nice guy who just happens to be a drug dealer. He has a loving family and is well-spoken.

He also has a girlfriend who is a lot younger than him, but still in school. She has her own uncertainties and anxieties to mend.

The film’s most memorable moment is an infamous scene where Monty has a heated confrontation with his bathroom mirror self. The mirror version of himself goes on a macho tirade about how horrible the city is and blames it for his own downfall, while Monty responds with a pityful monologue.

Throughout the movie, Lee uses various camera techniques to underscore the emotions of his characters, especially when they are alone. This includes jump cuts, repeated takes of the same action, a classic Lee “people mover” shot that allows us to get close ups of each character while they walk around, and dreamy camera movements that make Monty’s character appear to float or glide in midair.