Release Date: September 27, 1996
Starring: Danny Aiello, Greg Cruttwell, Jeff Daniels, Teri Hatcher, Glenne Headly, Peter Horton, Marsha Mason, Paul Mazursky, James Spader, Eric Stolz, Charlize Theron, Michael Jai White
Directed by: John Herzfeld
Distributed by: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
MPAA Rating: R (violence, sexuality, language)
Despite the appearance of previews and the movie's opening scenes, 2 Days in the Valley manages to escape the doldrums of sex-appeal-driven thrillerism. On its own, this might not be noteworthy, but it becomes as soon as it is apparent where 2 Days is headed. Not only is it a masterpiece of clever scriptwriting in the mystery genre, it's also a thankful release from much-noise/little-substance Hollywood blockbusters.
The cast is delightfully star-free and is headed up by the malicious James Spader as Lee Woods. Lee is an indepenent hitman who's out for little more than to settle personal scores and agendas, but his two days in the movie will end up as much more than that. On the opposite side of the line are Paul Mazursky, who plays ex-hitman Teddy Peppers, and Danny Aiello, who is washed-out Hollywood writer Dosmo Pizzo. Through an unlikely chain of events which includes two Valley vice officers (Jeff Daniels and Eric Stolz), as well as Lee's girlfriend Helga (Charlize Theron) and her friend Becky Foxx (Teri Hatcher), it all boils down to a decisive moment in both Lee's, Teddy's and Dosmo's lives.
For the first thirty minutes, the direction that the movie wants to take is mostly unclear and that may be the most detrimental thing about 2 Days. It's a movie that cannot be picked up midway through, and while that's not necessarily true about any flick, it's decidedly so about this one. Sporting a plot that is as complex as it is carefree, the writing is arguably the most likeable element in the pic. The John Herzfeld script carries the movie over many sinkholes like Jeff Daniels' uninspired acting job and the unfinished plot points.
Though it could be argued otherwise, the sexual content in 2 Days is mostly superfluous and could've been left out. Its only purpose in the plot is a supposed motivation for Lee Woods, but it is quite possibly that the ample acting talent of James Spader could've been used in place to generate more atmosphere around his character. He is one of the few bright spots in the acting corps, which, although lacking in the sickening flamboyance of A-list names, also lacks in the experience of such names. Most of the characters lead depressing lives, and are played accordingly - much to the audience's chagrin - by the actors. The fast pacing, however, makes that of little consequence and in the end also makes 2 Days in the Valley a more believable pic. Enjoy.
all contents © 1996 Craig Roush