The highest praise I can sing for this movie is that it doesn't condescend to the very serious issue of depression and suicide. It is laugh-out-loud funny at times, insightful, and very honest. Though something within me was hoping for a ballsier ending, I respect the filmmakers choices, and through the flaws, this is a very good film. Adam Scott and Paul Rudd are ridiculously on point (as always), and the suspense builds up in a real and meaningful way. If you can dig the super low-budget vibe, I highly recommend this. I literally found a copy on DVD for about 88 cents, so I'm sure you can find a copy if you really want it.

TWO DAYS (US, 2003)Director: Sean McGinley Starring: Paul Rudd, Donal LogueI caught this movie on cable by accident and it managed to surprise me. It places Paul Rudd as a failing actor named Paul Miller who, having decided to commit suicide, hires a film crew to document his last days. A depressing subject, but handled beautifully. In the beginning, we are unsure if Paul is joking or not. He constantly whines about his life, yet from the friends who are interviewed in the documentary within the film, we feel that he may be doing it for the attention. At least they think so. The crew goes from best friend to ex fling to ex girlfriend to his agent, each trying to convince him not to do it, and each time he seems to soften up a little to the idea of life. After each visit, the crew asks if he still wants to kill himself. He seems not to be fazed.Why would someone want to film himself in his last days, culminating in his death (which would label the doc a snuff movie)? It's almost as if he wants them to talk him out of it, although throughout the film he simply shrugs and says to his new buddies with the cameras "I'm still doing it." And why not? We learn that his agent won't return his calls, neither will his successful actor friend who suddenly invites him to work with him. Also, in a fantastically touching scene where Paul demonstrates his acting ability (and a revelation from Paul Rudd as well) we can see how frustrated he has become. He IS incredibly talented, yet still no joy. Soon the crew members are rooting for him, they become his best friends after a period of only two days. This is as much a comedy as a drama and until seeing the film, it's hard to see how, but it is there. In the final scenes where Paul has to make his major decision, we are not treated to atmospheric music or flashy jump cutting that any mainstream film may use to create the right intensity. Instead the finale relies solely on Rudd's excellent performance and the alternating between the film stock and the video footage used by the documentary crew. Having said all that, there are some minor quibbles. In the film's midsection, it drags as dialogue is repeated as the structure of the first act recurs in the second. The filmmakers are trying to make the point that no matter how many people try to talk him out of it, he's not budging, but we got that, we understand without it, so it just seems like padding. That and a pointless subplot involving a relationship between Stu the producer's girlfriend and the sound man are a tad out of place and not in keeping with the story. In some films you need these subplots, maybe for comic relief or to set up plot devices for later on. This film is not one of them. That and Stu the producer gets on your nerves after a while. However, the acting is superb, especially from Rudd who really sinks his teeth into the role, the kind he hardly ever gets, and the direction is skilfully handled switching between what we see and what the documentary crew sees through their cameras. An engaging little indie flick.

I found this to be an interesting look into the life of someone who has decided he no longer wants to live. Furthermore, I figure most people could probably relate to what Paul Miller (Paul Rudd) was feeling and thinking. I certainly could. I believe this must have been written by someone who has been through some similar circumstances and understands what a suicidal person is thinking. The main difference between a regular suicidal person and Paul Miller is that Paul is an actor and decides to have his last 2 days documented (thus the title). The reason is not explained as to why he decides this and I don't believe that this was a last ditch effort for fame because Paul really does want to kill himself. What good would being famous do if you are dead?Near as I can guess, he wants this to be more than just a suicide note and for everybody close to him to understand why he has made this decision, although it does not go into that much either, mostly because his friend, Stu (Adam Scott) has a different vision of the film, complete with a happy ending.Stu proclaims at the beginning of the film that he will do whatever he has to in order to stop Paul from killing himself. He tries everything he can think of in order to change Paul's mind, but seemingly can not. Everyone else involved with the documentary within the movie (like Drop Dead Gorgeous, but not as funny), does not believe that Paul has the guts to commit suicide and does not take him seriously. Everyone from his crew to former girlfriends and friends within the industry feel the same.. that he just wants attention. Once his crew realizes that Paul really does plan on killing himself, the feel of the movie takes a different turn. I can't really go much further without giving away the only true spoiler this movie could have, whether or not Paul decides to do it, so I'll just leave it at that. I think this is a good, not great, movie. It is worth a rental if you want something different. I give this movie 6.5 stars out of 10.

I am a third-year film student. I recently saw this film at the end of its world premiere run at Rotterdam Film Festival. I was fortunate enough to meet director Sean McGinly, who told me that he cannot expect more than a very limited release for the film. This is unfortunate, but even more of a shock was finding that the current IMDb user rating is a mere 5.7!!I completely fail to understand what is going through the minds of the vast majority of the people who saw the film at Rotterdam. I urge anyone with a taste for intelligent, original filmmaking - that has the power to make you laugh, cry, and feel glad to be alive within the space of half an hour - to watch this film. A film whose satirical nightmare scenario, created by the competitive nature of Hollywood and the desperation that results, is ESSENTIAL viewing for wannabe directors and actors - more compelling than Robert Altman's THE PLAYER, might I suggest - and with twists and turns that recall Frank Capra's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE. I also implore a distributor searching for high-quality, innovative American independent films to contact McGinly immediately!