a passionate and emotive indie film

It's easy to dismiss James Marsden as yet another Hollywood 'pretty boy' actor. His performances to date have been unchallenging and his movie-choices somewhat formulaic. No doubt his agent holds a very tight rein on the offers that come in. So it comes as a pleasant surprise to find that 24th Day managed to slip under the radar and prove he can not only act but is also willing to take a genuine career risk (albeit calculated, no doubt).

24th Day focuses almost entirely on the two lead actors (Marsden and Scott Speedman). They deliver a passionate and convincing performance in this low-budget indie film, confronting a difficult and complex moral issue. The lack of financing has perhaps forced the Director to present the film in the familiar structure of a play, but in this case it's the perfect technique for a movie that relies on emotional resonance rather than slick editing and forced visual style. 24th Day is an actor's movie and both leads deliver a passionate and convincing performance, proving their aesthetic merits are matched by their genuine talent.

The final frame of 24th Day closes with a symbolic visual act of enlightenment for the two lead characters. It's a revelation for the viewer too: a rare opportunity to see young actors try something very different and prove the real quality of their talents. In this case, it paid off.

Everyone involved in 24th Day clearly took a risk to produce something quite different. If you think that's a good idea, follow their lead and rent this movie.