So I found a clip of this on YouTube and this film looked interesting. Before reading my review, I'm going to point out what I feel are the most powerful spoilers. I have decided to break it up into Orange and Red levels.
ORANGE LEVEL Spoilers (major spoilers, but not really described in detail. Stop here unless you want to be spoiled before seeing the film) What this film is about, is about a drug dealer named Monty (Eddie Norton) who's about to go to jail for 7 years after being apparently busted (IMO, if he was busted he'd already be there). So, I guess he decides to turn himself in but have a last night out on the town.
Thru/o the last 24 hours we see flashbacks of his past and I think some about his future (like him getting busted, but once again when that happens he shouldn't still be out roaming free for a grace period).
He contemplates his past actions and what will happen in the future. There is one scene where he blames piratically everyone for his actions (including bums with squeegees, immigrants packing 25 per car, and even Jesus Christ) only to realize it's all his fault. But yet even though he must pay for his mistakes we realize his little rant points out that these people/we influence people like him to do these things. Thru/o the film it shows how he's lived a carefree life as a king; going to high posh clubs not even waiting in line, with very ultra fancy vinyl sofas, the best cocktails, deep heavy color lights.....taking each of these things for granted. I myself think I have it easy, but not like this.
But the thing is, that he realizes that he's taken his life for granted, carefree selling drugs and now gotta go to prison (which is definitely unfair because of prison rape (like he didn't rape, he only sold drugs)).
RED LEVEL Spoilers (major spoilers, STOP HERE unless you don't plan to see the film or don't care that I spoil it) In the end his father contemplates the life he could still run and start a new life.
This is where I'd like to point out makes the film confusing. If he indeed is already busted, why does he get a grace period. My theory is that he imagines the FBI guys looking in his apartment and the interrogation room scene. The FBI guys act very rude and awkward and that room is way too white except the fire alarm (and they do make white fire alarms). I mean even before the FBI guys come he talks about suicide. So we know that he knows he's going to get busted. And he doesn't want to take a bath with his gf, but then does and that's when the FBI guys come (hinting on, he takes the bath and the FBI guys come, therefore the bath scene never happened; it was just imagined).
But overall, the film points out how we might live carefree and take things for granted. We realize that its not our fault that these drug dealers commit the crimes they commit. But how we might have been an influence, and because of that of how others have influenced our actions.
The ending almost got me a little bit wishing, man I wish I could start a life out in the west, live in a very small town, maybe work in a small bank, bar, store, or post office. Right now I'm doing pretty well. But it just got me thinking, most of us today are so hooked on ultra iPods. But how did we get by 20-25 years ago without that? I think even that one Barry guy who must make millions would have envied Monty if he did start that new life, while Monty is only making like <$50k per year. Why? Because Monty is living the simple life while Barry must deal with the hectic stock market job.
Overall I give this film 8/10. It was very eye opening, but also confusing. Also, like always, did it really need all that profanity?
ORANGE LEVEL Spoilers (major spoilers, but not really described in detail. Stop here unless you want to be spoiled before seeing the film) What this film is about, is about a drug dealer named Monty (Eddie Norton) who's about to go to jail for 7 years after being apparently busted (IMO, if he was busted he'd already be there). So, I guess he decides to turn himself in but have a last night out on the town.
Thru/o the last 24 hours we see flashbacks of his past and I think some about his future (like him getting busted, but once again when that happens he shouldn't still be out roaming free for a grace period).
He contemplates his past actions and what will happen in the future. There is one scene where he blames piratically everyone for his actions (including bums with squeegees, immigrants packing 25 per car, and even Jesus Christ) only to realize it's all his fault. But yet even though he must pay for his mistakes we realize his little rant points out that these people/we influence people like him to do these things. Thru/o the film it shows how he's lived a carefree life as a king; going to high posh clubs not even waiting in line, with very ultra fancy vinyl sofas, the best cocktails, deep heavy color lights.....taking each of these things for granted. I myself think I have it easy, but not like this.
But the thing is, that he realizes that he's taken his life for granted, carefree selling drugs and now gotta go to prison (which is definitely unfair because of prison rape (like he didn't rape, he only sold drugs)).
RED LEVEL Spoilers (major spoilers, STOP HERE unless you don't plan to see the film or don't care that I spoil it) In the end his father contemplates the life he could still run and start a new life.
This is where I'd like to point out makes the film confusing. If he indeed is already busted, why does he get a grace period. My theory is that he imagines the FBI guys looking in his apartment and the interrogation room scene. The FBI guys act very rude and awkward and that room is way too white except the fire alarm (and they do make white fire alarms). I mean even before the FBI guys come he talks about suicide. So we know that he knows he's going to get busted. And he doesn't want to take a bath with his gf, but then does and that's when the FBI guys come (hinting on, he takes the bath and the FBI guys come, therefore the bath scene never happened; it was just imagined).
But overall, the film points out how we might live carefree and take things for granted. We realize that its not our fault that these drug dealers commit the crimes they commit. But how we might have been an influence, and because of that of how others have influenced our actions.
The ending almost got me a little bit wishing, man I wish I could start a life out in the west, live in a very small town, maybe work in a small bank, bar, store, or post office. Right now I'm doing pretty well. But it just got me thinking, most of us today are so hooked on ultra iPods. But how did we get by 20-25 years ago without that? I think even that one Barry guy who must make millions would have envied Monty if he did start that new life, while Monty is only making like <$50k per year. Why? Because Monty is living the simple life while Barry must deal with the hectic stock market job.
Overall I give this film 8/10. It was very eye opening, but also confusing. Also, like always, did it really need all that profanity?