By: debbie lynn elias
Opening Friday, March 1, 2002, “40 Days and 40 Nights” is a fable of Biblical and mythic proportion. Dumped six months ago by his strikingly beautiful, but rather superficial, girlfriend Nicole, Matt suffers with an obsession for her that would rival the cravings of any alcoholic or drug addict on the planet. In an effort to control his obsession and “forget” about Nicole, Matt has spent the past six months doing what every healthy teenage, 20-something, 30-something and 40-something (dare we go higher?) male does — think about, partake in, participate in and obsess with sex. Different night, different girl – or girls. Unfortunately, this is no cure for what ails him and on learning that his beloved Nicole is about to marry a well-to-do investment counselor, he makes a pact with God and vows to give up sex for Lent. And we’re not talking just sex – we’re talking no physical contact of any kind – no hugging, kissing, hand holding or touching, no porno magazines or movies, no parties where there may be girls – no nothing. And so, let the games begin.
With his friends learning of his unusual endeavor, betting takes on a new form and sex jokes run rampant. (After this film, there should be a bevy of new books hitting the stores and jokes hitting the Internet – “What To Do When Your Parents Are Having More Sex Than You”, “1001 Sex Jokes,” “Protocol for Pop-Up ******”, etc., etc.) Challenged by life’s obstacles and Matt’s very active imagination (not to mention distractions by his friends designed to sway the betting in their favor), we’re treated to erections, discussions about masturbation, nudity, women-on-women encounters, sex scenes, not to mention a Salvador Dali-esque dream sequence involving an ocean of breasts. Complicating Matt’s abstinence is the exotic Erica whom he meets in a laundromat and with whom he falls in love — despite of, or thanks to, his vow of celibacy.
Fresh from “O” and “Pearl Harbor” where he played second fiddle to bigger name stars, Josh Hartnett comes into his own here, and shows he can take the bull by the horns and run solo. Exuding a sincerity and honesty rarely seen, Hartnett gives the sex-crazed Matt a fresh spin and you actually find yourself wanting him to succeed with his abstinence vow. More than that, mix him together with the talented Shannyn Sossamon and you find yourself being convinced that sex isn’t everything and there is still hope for the cuteness and romance of the courting ritual…not to mention clean laundry. (Are you paying attention boys?) Sossamon, who first came to light in “A Knight’s Tale”, shines even brighter here, showing a depth of talent which only gets brighter and stronger with each performance. Her extraordinary chemistry with Heath Ledger in “A Knight’s Tale” is nothing compared to that here with Hartnett. Kudos to casting for putting these two together.
Paul Costanzo, Terry Chen, Adam Del Rio and Chris Gauthier as Matt’s co-workers, roommates (Costanzo) and betting bookies, fall short in their performances, primarily due to the weak script and lack of supporting character development. Their sole purpose seems to be as outlets for one-liners from first time screenwriter, Rob Perez. Although Perez does an admirable job for his first time out of the box, the film is essentially a one joke premise, and but for a few stand-out scenes between Hartnett and Sossamon, is kept alive with strings of sex-based, orgasmic one-liners. After all, it is a proven fact that sex sells and Perez apparently hung his hat on that fact. Hopefully Perez’ future works will have the laughs of “40 Days” but not the flaws.
Sure to be a hit with teens and 20-somethings, “40 Days and 40 Nights”, while no great masterpiece, is nevertheless funny and worth the price of a bargain matinee. Director Michael Lehmann, the man who brought us not only “The Truth About Cats & Dogs” but “Hudson Hawk” and “Heathers”, obviously had fun with this film and does a good job weaving together the quirky intricacies of fantasy, reality, romance, obsession and clean laundry.
