So, this movie has many, many flaws. But it does not really push it down to anything but mediocrity. It is an acceptable comedy with a gimmicky set up to have a lot of good looking women skimping around. The acting was just barely passable and the characters about as one dimensional as you could possibly get. And all that is fine, I did not expect high art and what was delivered was some mindless fun. That is until the ending. The ending is just awful. Seriously, you have a mainstream romcom that ends with the protagonist being raped in his own bed by his ex and it is brushed over like some kind of "Gosh darn" moment. That is messed up! And for you who don't think it is that bad, just do a gender swap on them and see if you still feel it is ay-okay for her to f**k him in the sleep, while he is tied up. Really classy movie I tell you.

Matt Sullivan (Josh Hartnett) designs web pages in San Francisco. Ryan (Paulo Costanzo) is his sleazy roommate. His brother John (Adam Trese) is a priest. It's been six months since Nicole (Vinessa Shaw) dumped him. He is tired of endless meaningless sex and then he's told Nicole is newly engaged. He vows to abstain from any sexual contact for 40 days and 40 nights of Lent. That's before he meets Erica Sutton (Shannyn Sossamon) at the laundromat. Ryan spreads the story and co-workers organize a betting pool on his self-restraint.Hartnett is often a stiff pretty boy actor. In this one, he is able to inject a bit of comedic energy. His jittery sexually-deprived mess is kind of funny. There are some minor laughs in this. It is somewhat inappropriate which leads to some awkward scenes. The awkwardness detracts from the comedic needs. For example, the ending needs to be reworked. It isn't funny and is actually off-putting. I can think of plenty of funnier ways to end his 40 days. This movie has a couple of laughs and isn't as bad as expected.

40 Days and 40 Nights (2002): Dir: Michael Lehman / Cast: Josh Hartnett, Shannyn Sossamon, Vinessa Shaw, Griffin Dunne, Paulo Costanzo: Ads challenge viewers regarding sexual refusal. One would think that Josh Hartnett could make it through a ninety minute movie. Here he leads an active sex life but when his girlfriend dumps him he decides to go 40 days and 40 nights without sex. His friends make bets on his newest romance and whether he can make good on his case. Directed by Michael Lehman who previously made The Truth About Cats and Dogs. Here he is assisted by fine visual elements. Harnett has comic potential that deserves broader material. His situation draws serious themes that viewers could relate to but faltered with predictable structure and an attitude that learns nothing. Shannyn Sossamon as the laundo-mat girl has talent beyond this. She is basically a prop to teach Hartnett the value of relationships yet ends up on the same level as his other sexual conquests. Vinessa Shaw is subdued as his ex-girlfriend who will obviously reappear to voice her mistake in leaving him when she observes him with someone else. Griffin Dunne is caught masturbating in a public washroom. Paulo Costanzo plays the roommate and co-worker and pretty much initiates this scheme. Theme of sexual appetite bares truth but religious elements lack conviction. Score: 5 ½ / 10

After breaking up with his long term girlfriend Matt (Hartnett) vows to go without sex for lent in order to progress emotionally.The romantic genre has gone through numerous concepts over the years. From the sentimental friendship romance in Lost in Translation to the utterly crude but funny American Pie there are numerous ideologies thrown around and as is modern culture, a film is made depicting the terms and regulations teenagers seem to live by in relationships.Just Friends, Angus Thongs and perfect snogging and Donkey Punch to name but a few that all depict different ideas, from the friendship zone to growing up.This Michael Lehmann picture looks at the use of sex as a resolution to overcome depression. Sex has obviously been used before in When Harry met Sally for example and with that a renowned funny classic you may wonder what this has to compare.For starters this is a delusion on the trailer which depicts the film as a broad cruel epic with constant joking and a use of crude comedy to get it's entertainment across.Whilst there are numerous references to the different elements of sex that can give American Pie a run for its money, this is good because it does not take itself too seriously. The scripting is relaxed, and is not penned around set ups for an obvious joke. There are sharp timings in and amongst the 40 days with numerous challenges for the teen heart throb Josh Hartnett.The actor is likable enough with a chilled presence whilst bringing an elegant amount of comedy our way. The comedy however comes mostly from the supporting players, particularly Matt's flatmate. This is where this film succeeds though as Matt's target is a serious business considering his motivation to get over his ex girlfriend. The balance is therefore articulate as we comprehend the elegant dreams of the central protagonist with his problems we therefore do not need the awkward jokes subsiding the seriousness.This is by no means soft hearted either as the relationship between Matt and Erica is one of the most grown up dates you will see in teen comedy.The scripting is quite exquisite considering the modern language of stereotypical teenagers. The cocky flatmate isn't too over the top whilst the work colleagues seem ordinary enough but whilst this work the level of comedy is maintained.Here are a couple of drawbacks. The ending like all or most romantic comedies is inevitable; Erica's constant doubts and reactions can be tiring whilst Maggie Gyllenhaal is quite annoying.But this is a sharp comedy that is light-hearted but still funny with a good central lead that is certainly worth a look.