40 Days and 40 Nights (*1/2)
review by Ken Gumbs

Now I am not saying this is the worst movie ever, believe me I’ve seen films much worst, but this is the
lowest rating I have ever given on this website so I have to take my hat off to 40 Days and 40 Nights. I
think that a big reason for the low rating was that I had higher hopes for this film than just your run-of-the-mill teen romantic comedy. This potentially off-beat film stars budding superstar Josh Hartnett,
coming off a big year of Pearl Harbor and Blackhawk Down (financially successful, but critically
disappointing films).

The premise is simple, young hunk Josh Hartnett vows 40 days of absolute abstinence to get over his ex-girlfriend. Hijinks ensue, absolute hijinks! Okay, the idea does seem a little quirky and I thought it had good possibilities with the aid of some good screenwriting. But 40 Days and 40 Nights is not offbeat, it is not quirky, and it is definitely not funny. Instead it is absolutly genre-dictated. I know what your wondering, ‘What genre is about teen heart-throbs vowing to stop having sex?"

Well kiddies lets get out our bad Hollywood teen comedy checklist and lets get to work. Good looking
lead man, preferably under 25 having been featured on both YM magazine and Teen People magazine. Check. Mean ex-girlfriend that works as the opposite of new love interest. Check. New girlfriend, just as pretty as old girlfriend, but much more likable. Stupid roommate that forces main character to do crazy things and works as comic relief to main character's straight laced actions. Check and check. Okay, now to top it off with weak jokes about sex and a nice romantic ending. Now the checklist points to one
thing…formulaic teen romantic comedy…and certainly doesn’t point to quirky offbeat comedy.

Maybe the most surprising thing about the film was its sex and nudity that bumps the film into an inappropriate R rating instead of the more obvious PG-13 romantic comedy rating. So who is supposed to
be the target market for this film? Ratings keep young teens from watching it, little comedy and graphic situations make the film inappropriate for many dates, and anyone with taste wouldn’t even think
about seeing it. So who is left? Well me I guess. Hopefully, after this review, not you too.

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