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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: Paramount
Salesrank: 20876
Released: November 20, 2007 |
| Our Price: $8.04 |
| Used Price: $6.78 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
In a sleepy bedroom community of LA's San Fernando Valley, the murder of a professional athlete by two hit men sets into motion a chain of events that puts the mundane lives of a dozen residents on a collision course. This clever tale tells the story of two hit men, a mistress, a nurse, a vindictive ex-wife, a wealthy art dealer and his lovelorn assistant, a suicidal writer and his dog, and a bitter cop and his partner.
Description of 2 Days in the Valley:
Overlooked in theaters but gaining a modest cult following in video release, writer-director John Herzfeld's underrated 2 Days in the Valley has a lot going for it, not the least being a variety of interesting characters played by a superb ensemble cast. The complex plot centers on a mild-mannered hit man (Danny Aiello) who is hired by an icy killer (James Spader) to assist him on his latest job. Eric Stoltz and Jeff Daniels play the vice cops who stumble on the murder scene. Their investigation leads to a colorful array of San Fernando Valley denizens, including a has-been director (played by director Paul Mazursky) and a snobbish art dealer (Greg Cruttwell) whose lives come together in unexpected and interesting ways. Emphasizing characters that consistently hold our attention with humor and poignant desire, this clever thriller fits nicely into the eccentric category of "Only in California." --Jeff Shannon
2 Days in the Valley Reviews:
Much style little substance 
2009-07-10 - Terrific cast, Spader & Daniels are 2 of my favorite actors, great-looking flick, who wouldn't want to live in that house or squire Hatcher &/or Therize? But the direction is off-broadway stagey & the story is so loosey-goosey that the plot holes are big enough to fly the space shuttle through & lose it.
Great Service 
2009-06-23 - The service was great. I received my video quicker than was expected and it was in perfect working order. I will use them again.
Weird but interesting 
2009-04-30 - Entertaining but not a great movie. I don't regret buying it, but you might.
2 Days In The Valley 
2008-10-31 - Awesome movie. I don't know why this one never made the BIG TIME. Delivered as promised in a speedy fashion. I would do business with again!
on the knife edge of realism and comedy
2008-03-09 - This is one of the films that you either get or don't. In my view, it is extremely successful in creating an atmosphere all its own, much like magical realism but about gangsters and difficult, outrageously ambitious, but frustrated people. The plot is a contract killing that leads to, shall we say, unforeseen complications that cause a number of lives to intersect and change. What is so funny and moving about the film is that you can believe it, at least while you are watching it.
Then there is the acting, which is uniformly excellent. Of course, there is the introduction of Charlize Theron, whose talent is evident from the beginning; her murderous fist fight with Hatcher is classic. But the emotional center of the film is Aiello, who is a failed hit-man-turned-pizza chef, trying to get back in the money. All of the characters change during the film, making new connections, seeing their lives differently, finally going for it. This is truly masterful and it is a pity it does not have a wider audience.
Warmly recommended.
