40 Days and 40 Nights (2002)

Director:

Michael Lehmann

Writer (WGA):

Rob Perez (written by)

Release Date:

1 March 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance | Drama

Tagline:

One man is about to do the unthinkable. No sex. Whatsoever. For... 40 Days and 40 Nights

Plot:

After a brutal breakup, a young man vows to stay celibate during the 40 days of Lent, but finds the girl of his dreams and is unable to do anything about it.

Plot Keywords:

Lent | Sex | Masturbation | Dream | Love

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

US TV Schedule:

Sun. Nov. 15

7:00 AM

COMEDY

Cast

Josh Hartnett	...	Matt Sullivan
Shannyn Sossamon	...	Erica Sutton
Paulo Costanzo	...	Ryan
Adam Trese	...	John Sullivan
Emmanuelle Vaugier	...	Susie
Lorin Heath	...	Diana
Aaron Trainor	...	Kellner
Glenn Fitzgerald	...	Chris
Monet Mazur	...	Candy
Christine Chatelain	...	Andie
Keegan Connor Tracy	...	Mandy
Michael C. Maronna	...	Bagel Boy (as Michael Maronna)
Vinessa Shaw	...	Nicole
Stefanie von Pfetten	...	Girl in Chinatown
Stanley Anderson	...	Father Maher

Also Known As:

40 jours et 40 nuits (France)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity and language.

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA | UK | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #38351) | France:U | Singapore:M18 (re-rating) | Singapore:R(A) (cut) | Philippines:R-18 | New Zealand:M | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Brazil:14 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (British Columbia) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) (re-rating on appeal) | Canada:18A (Alberta) | Canada:18 (Nova Scotia) (original rating) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Finland:K-15 | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Iceland:12 | Malaysia:(Banned) | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:18 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of the Grisons) | UK:15

Filming Locations:

San Francisco, California, USA

Company:

Miramax Films

Trivia:

Ashton Kutcher and Katie Holmes were originally set to play the roles of Matt and Erica. They both dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.

Goofs:

Continuity: Matt's boss takes a few bites off the dried fruit in his hand but when he sets it down it is clearly uneaten.

Quotes:

Matt: You stupid, stupid... silly little person.

Movie Connections:

References Emmanuelle: First Contact (1994) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Strange Disease

Mourning Wood

Six months of hot women can't get emotionally blocked San Francisco stud Josh Hartnett (as Matt Sullivan) to forget sexy ex-girlfriend Vinessa Shaw (as Nicole); so, he decides to give up sex for "40 Days and 40 Nights" (aka "Lent", the time period before Easter). It's a lot harder than it sounds, because Mr. Harnett vows to give up ALL forms of sexual activity, including masturbation. Promiscuous roommate Paulo Costanzo (as Ryan) is around to help; he examines Hartnett's sheets for fluids, and lets everyone on the Internet know about his pal's pledge. Presumably, Mr. Costanzo orders Hartnett to shower with the door open.

Things get very sticky (or, not) when women try to arouse Hartnett's interest. To complicate matters, he meets sexy Shannyn Sossamon (as Erica) at the Laundromat. Still, Hartnett perseveres. He gets Christian help, in the confessional, from priestly brother Adam Trese (as John); Mr. Trese is, secretly, struggling with the same vow. Of course, the real story is the discovery, by Hartnett, of "true love" (instead of just sex).

Other than a confusing, dream sequence climax; it's all fairly predictable. Director Michael Lehmann and team succeed in making the premise unrealistic, even for a silly movie. Sossamon and Costanzo are very likable with Hartnett. There are a few laughs. One cool scene features more topless women than "Electric Ladyland".

***** 40 Days and 40 Nights (2002) Michael Lehmann ~ Josh Hartnett, Shannyn Sossamon, Paulo Costanzo