The 24th Day
Tags: revenge, suspenseful, queer, flashback

Plot synopsis:
Tom (Scott Speedman) and Dan (James Marsden) meet in a bar and then proceed to Tom's apartment together. While there, Dan realizes that he had been in that same apartment before. Five years earlier, Dan and Tom had a one night stand there. According to Tom, that encounter with Dan was his first and only homosexual experience. Some years later, Tom's wife is found to be HIV positive. Despondent after receiving this diagnosis from her doctor, Tom's wife drives through a red traffic light and is killed in an ensuing collision. Subsequent to these events, medical tests reveal that Tom is also HIV positive. Tom blames himself for passing HIV on to his wife and, in turn, he blames Dan for passing the virus on to him. Reasoning that Dan, ultimately, is to blame for his wife's death, Tom devises a plan to exact revenge. He holds Dan hostage, keeping him bound and gagged to a chair in his apartment. He draws blood from Dan in order to conduct a test to determine Dan's HIV status. If Dan's test results are positive for HIV, Tom vows to kill Dan. If the results are negative, Tom agrees to release Dan unharmed. In the end, Tom returns to the apartment and lets Dan go. As Dan is leaving, Tom asks him when he had last been tested. A few moments later, he reveals that Dan's test was, in fact, positive. He decided to let Dan go because he realized that his positive status was the result of his choices which he couldn't blame on anyone else. The screen fades with Dan standing in Tom's doorway in shock.

Review: Without giving away the plot, let me say that almost every minute of the taught, carefully crafted script is imbued with thoughtful discussion on issues that are all to frequently ignored by sexually active gay men.
As great as the material is on its own, it takes a couple of powerhouse actors to sustain tension and interest throughout what is essentially a ninety-minute two-man show, and James Marsden and Scott Speedman are more than up to the task.
Seek out this movie -- find it in a theater, rent it when it becomes available -- because it's worth it, and because films like this need to be encouraged and rewarded..
One can argue it's a homophobic piece or one can argue entirely the opposite, but one can't argue that it's a well scripted, well paced and well acted movie that is worthy of 90 minutes of anyone's time in the world of Hollywood formulaic drama that dominates the mainstream.
Scott Speedman and James Marsden's one-night stand turns into an intense power play between captor and captive.A independent film adaptation from a play by Tony Piccirillo and directed by same, is a tour de force with very good acting by Scott Speedman and James Marsden.
It was nice to see 2 actors, relying on their acting skills alone, making the movie work from all angles.I liked this film for it's simplicity and storyline.
If the movie were untrue to life about how gay men go out and have sex frequently, then the rates of new HIV infection would be dropping incredibly, since everyone would use protection.
"The 24th Day" is a very thought-provoking film, which due to it's content is not everyone's sort of film, but being such an unusual and rare sort of film, is a great film to watch and perhaps for some people, after watching, may come out with a greater understanding of the issues in the film, one of the obvious being HIV.Few and far between are there films where homosexual characters are portrayed as normal people, and this is one of them, so when the HIV aspect of the film was introduced it seemed rather odd - do all gay related films have to be about HIV?
The answer is of course no, and the film does, through Marsden's character Dan, strongly point out that HIV is in no way a "gay disease", which is a good point, as there seems to be not enough awareness of this, however, the people that need to be aware of that are probably not going to be the ones watching this film anyway.
Scott Speedman also did a fantastic job of portraying his character Tom. Essentially a 2-character film (as it is adapted from a theatrical performance), it can get quite monotonous at points, but the actors both stay in good form.
During the night, Tom (Scott Speedman) invites Dan (James Marsden) to his apartment for one night stand.
"The 24th Day" is indeed a play in a low budget movie, having a magnificent screenplay and stunning performances of James Marsden and Scott Speedman.
The 24th Day is a tense, low-budget gay thriller which focuses on Tom who holds Dan (an ex-trick) captive.
He extracts a blood sample from Dan and threatens to do bad things if it comes back HIV positive.The 24th Day has a well conceived story-line (apparently it was based on a play written by the Director or something) - and although it takes a little while to get going - I think it sets the scene well and draws you to the characters.It's basically a two-man film and the two leads are quite well acted - Dan (played by X-Men's James Marsden) is cocky, self-assured (for the most part) and defiant while Scott Speedman's Tom is uneasy and simmering (in the angry sense).The film quality (as in picture) is fairly poor - but it doesn't distract from the film.24th Day is a cool little thriller which is worth checking out if you like low-budget movies..
Director, P.J. Castellaneta, did close to this same thing (minus the death threats) 13 years earlier in his 1991 release, "Together Alone." Here's how the two films line up:--2 hunky guys (one married / one not---in both "24th" and "TA").--A night of lovemaking (remembered+talked about in "24th" / actually in bed in "TA").--AIDS as a factor (does he have it / does he not---in both films).--A night of philosophizing (what if this / what if not this---in both films).Apparently 1991's "Together Alone" garnered even lesser acclaim than has "24th" (but Castellaneta did go on 7 years later to make a somewhat more successful 'little number' you've probably heard of titled, "Relax......It's Just Sex").
Nonetheless, his physical attributes are far surpassed by a freshness and depth of feeling, rare in such a young performer, which he brings to his dramatic roles, that of Dan being no exception.Since I can add nothing more concerning performances and plot points than is contained in the several 7- to 10-Star reviews already here, I will mention only one character detail: Tom is, at his most basic and essential, a good and honest human being.
24th Day looks like the typical low budget movie with only 2 actors (the others appear for less than 20 seconds each) in a constant dialog.
He has a way to prove it.The movie has many strong points: it is very (Dan's favorite word) believable; it has a high influence on its viewers; the directing, the dialogs and the overall mood are world class; ultimately it touches a subject of the highest importance: HIV from the inside.Be prepared for a high emotional impact.
When the film first started I wasn't paying attention because it looked like another lame movie that was so bad they were showing it on network TV on a Sunday afternoon.
I couldn't believe the plot because it's a story you very rarely see depicted in film, it's a subject Hollywood basically ignores, HIV/AIDS.
When you hear "Cyclops from X-Men" and "Ben from TV's 'Felicity'" you don't exactly sense that the acting chops will be there to make up the necessary lost ground.This is why the movie was an unexpected revelation, as the director and two actors committed fully to the complicated material, claustrophobic set, and see-sawing intensity.
I certainly intend to watch it again, and hope to see a play mounted some day nearby so I can experience it live.) I very much recommend this movie..
It is a good example of how you don't need billions and billions of dollars to make a movie if only you bother to have a good story.It is quite simple, but it never loses it's originality and tension.The actors are both very good and both hold up their end in the film.
Especially James Marsden surprised me a great deal, very positive thing thereI definitely recommend this little nice bit, and it's one of the few I've decided to go out and buy on DVD when I can find it.8/10.
the movie is about two guys, Tom (Scott Speedman) and Dan (James Marsden), who are about to have a one night stand but end up in a situation where Dan becomes a hostage.
Writer-director Tony Piccirillo adapted his own play about a straight man, recently widowed, learning in the last three weeks he is HIV-positive; he tracks down the one homosexual partner he ever had, brings him to an apartment and ties him up, forcing a blood test on the guy and promising bloody revenge if the results come back positive.
James Marsden's captive is realistically cynical and snotty, but the actor's own artificial mannerisms are disconcerting--it's like watching a roadshow version of Tom Cruise.
It's too arrogant: it could be a very good movie - the two main characters alone (I wouldn't put the initial part with the girl, every action would happen inside the apartment), and concerned only to the fact he fucked the guy without remembering and bringing up just the issue of aids un-conscientious dissemination!
this film is so intense, now i know why some people love to watch plays live in theaters.
when one of them was talking about a broken frog, i thought that this film was about time machine, etc.of course, james is a good looking dude, if they hired some ugly guy, this film may not be so attractive to watch.and i think that it is time to hire gay people to play gay roles.
Overall, an excellent film, well acted, well directed and emotionally charged.The storyline is quite straight-forward: 2 guys Tom (Speedman) and Dan (Marsden) who had an sexual encounter 5 years earlier meet again - unbeknowsnt to one of them.
Watch the first 25 minutes carefully - you'll find it hard not to.The film centers around Toms discovery that he is HIV positive, and is certain Dan gave him the disease.
It puts the topic of sex, unsafe sex, multiple partners, trust and honesty all on the table, no holds barred.On a personal level, if you are not in a relationship, this film will certainly challenge your own ability to ever believe anyone again.I liked this film because it dealt with a topic our society seems to be struggling with again - people having unsafe sex, and being afraid of getting tested for HIV.In addition, it is an erotic thriller, full of suspense, unexpected turns and twists, and emotion.
The action is focused on the superb dialogs between captor and captive, the reasons the captor has for the kidnapping and the tricks the latter plays in order to break free.Half way the film it is inevitable to start making judgment about both characters (watch the movie to know why), and for sure after the end, or even earlier, you will be involved in a moral disquisition with other watching the film or with yourself, why not?All in all it is a recommendable film with enough suspense to engage the viewer and a very interesting and credible story..
While Speedman's and Marsden's performances are solid, the mere fact of thinking how intense the theater play should be leaves the movie as a weak effort.
The script provides some twists and turns but at some point I started figuring out the result of the HIV test.Actually, I don't consider that the point of the movie is to know if Speedman is going to kill Marsden or not.
Speedman holds Marsden responsible for the fact that he now tests positive for AIDs. As he originally states his one and only venture into gay sex was with Marsden who gave him the HIV virus.
I think Tony Piccirillo really did a great job growing a story like "The 24th Day" from HIV?AIDS genre.
Something of a cross between "Misery" and "Rent" with a little Stockholm Syndrome-teasing thrown in, "The 24th Day" is probably the one movie that manages to be intensely gripping while dulling you with sheer mind-numbing boredom.Featuring "Underworld"'s Scott Speedman as a chef and "X-Men"'s James Marsden as his former one night stand, it tells what happens when they wind up on opposite ends of a hostage situation: Speedman abducts Marsden so he can find out if he's the one who gave him AIDs.The talks, from football to "Charlie's Angels", are about as boring and unnecessary as if Cecil B.
Marsden's previous work in X-men series made me think of him not a very outstanding performer but an average action movie youthful actor...
any gay person watching and listening to this little brave masterpiece and finds it remotely homophobic is living in total denial.this film holds up a mirror and many will not like the reflection looking back..
James Marsden, who had a total of only 6 minutes in last X Men movie has made this film where he plays a homosexual.
"24th Day" is just another downhill cheaply made film shot in Philadelphia and Marsden has flopped again with less than $25,000 gross.Since then he has made another independent film that will only have a straight to video release if that, "Heights",and "24th Day" is a pitiful movie for Hollywood to turn out.Marsden's performance is unbelievable.The fact that this film didn't even play but 2 weeks in one theatre to almost empty theaters tells the whole story..
this movie is worthless, its like 1 star out of 10 is a generosity for this one, what did people think when rating this movie here, 7,6 i mean come on, this movie is so lame i was thanking for that fast forward button, cast is terrible, there were few actors in it anyway 4-5 i think, and u mostly see just 2, it is about some man who kidnaps another man and has him bound in his apartment, a pathetic kinda person, that goes on for 24 days, god what a nightmare, movie that is.this may be worst movie i have ever seen, if u want to see this type of movie go see 'Alexandra's Project' at least that one is kinda funny and has its nice moments.rating: 0/10.
Both Scott Speedman and James Marsden are very good in their respect roles and I really enjoyed both the beginning and end of this film, unfortunately the middle is somewhat boring and takes away from an otherwise original and outstanding story..
This is not a great Hollywood production, but we have a very interesting story performed by two brilliant actors (yes,James Mardsden & Scott Speedman are great in this movie)in what in Alfred Hitchcock's hands would have been a master piece but here the director just gets a correct but not brilliant movie with a good actors direction but with an unnecessary flashbacks along the film that I'm still wondering what was the purpose of the director with it, perhaps to give a more modern looking to the film because that flashbacks doesn't contribute to the understanding of the story (!),finally the best of this play made movie is the story itself that turns around AIDS and the responsibility of our acts.Well,a 6 to the movie, a 10 to the story..
The 24th Day is, contrary to some of the other commentator?s opinions, a movie that should be seen by anyone who appreciates the art of film acting.
I bought the movie without knowing a thing about it other than there were two hot guys from other movies I liked in it and it was gay themed (call me shallow) and I was pleasantly surprised to find a film that I will watch and share with friends both gay and straight, for years to come.9/10.
Not only is the script one of the best pieces of writing around, the acting of here-to-for underused pretty boys James Marsden and Scott Speedman is of the quality for which awards were invented.After opening credits (which only in retrospect tell the entire story in beautifully executed photography), the story begins in a singles bar and moves slowly to the musty, dark, cluttered apartment of Tom (Scott Speedman from 'Underworld', 'Duets', etc) where it becomes clear that his 'guest' Dan (James Marsden of 'The Notebook' and the 'X Men' series - a 31 year old actor who lost out on the lead role in 'Primal Fear' to Edward Norton!) has been cruising Tom with the intention of a sexual tryst for the evening.
- Tom informs Dan that they had an evening of sex five years ago (Dan was drunk and doesn't remember) and since that has been Tom's only gay sexual liaison: Tom has been stalking Dan in revenge for his transmitting HIV to Tom, a transmission which has resulted in Tom's wife falling victim to AIDS and dying in a car crash 24 days ago!Tom therefore becomes the captor and Dan the captive in this two-person drama.
The real surprise (in a film full of professional surprises) is the caliber of acting from James Marsden and Scott Speedman.
These two fine actors each deliver the quality of performance that deserves Oscar attention.Without reservation this film is high on the list of the finest 'indie movies' (read very low budget) of the year.
I saw this movie a few years ago and liked it and wanted to see it again so I bought a copy recently and re-watched it.It was nice seeing it a second time and I got more out of it.I thought Scott and James did a great job playing these two characters and it's hard to imagine them being played by anyone else.I have met people in my life similar to both these guys and they both nailed it!It's a simple movie but really keeps you interested and then gets intense and your glued to the TV.The dialog was really well written and it was so naturally portrayed that it could have been ad-libbed.
The way the two characters developed was very interesting with Marsdens' character becoming less likable (at first you believe he's not a slut) as Speedmans' becoming more so (part of you can't blame him for what he's doing).I may have to watch it a second time though; I missed a few facts.
What kind of movie was that when you see the only gay "the bad guy" character by James Marsden to be treated that way by the "supposed non gay character" "the good guy" by Scott Speedman.
As a film buff who enjoys the performances of talented actors, there's no question, Marsden and Speedman do a stellar job.
He gets aids and doesn't know it and gives it to his wife and she dies and he goes to find the man who gave him the disease and takes his blood and holds him captive while he awaits the results from the test proving that he got it from him.The two men have some interesting talks and discussions showing them as being human and real and not just a kidnapper and his victim.
Scott Speedman and James Marsden were great casting choices, neither were hugely famous and that made them even more believable.Based on writer/director Tony Piccirillo's play this film was perhaps an important subject to be put on film, but it also should've been told without making gay people look like aids carrying sluts.