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So-so
Avg. Critic Score: 53 out of 100 Mixed or average reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
16 Iffy for 16+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 80
    Washington Post | Desson Thomson

    It's funny! It's not Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" or anything, but it's pretty darned good! Read full review

  • 80
    Los Angeles Times | Kevin Thomas

    Can be taken as a mildly risque frothy date movie, but there's serious subtext for those who choose to look beneath surface sheen. Read full review

  • 75
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    Hartnett shows here a breezy command of his charming, likable character. It is a reminder of his talent and versatility. Read full review

  • 70
    Washington Post | Stephen Hunter

    The movie is both exhilarating and depressing. The trouble is, I can't figure out which is more important. Read full review

  • 70
    Variety | Todd McCarthy

    A self-described abstinence comedy that is funny, sexy and silly in equal measure. Read full review

  • 67
    Entertainment Weekly | Owen Gleiberman

    A kinder, gentler teensploitation comedy, but Hartnett's Matt, at least, invites the audience to graduate to something better. Read full review

  • 63
    USA Today | Mike Clark

    Within a certain narrow range, Hartnett shows some comic flair -- though not enough to carry the picture over its considerable rough spots. Read full review

  • 60
    Rolling Stone | Peter Travers

    Yup, director Michael Lehmann, far from the glory days of "Heathers," has made a movie about a hard-on, in which he relentlessly pounds a flaccid premise. Read full review

  • 50
    San Francisco Chronicle |

    Builds up comic force in its first half. But then it blows it, leaving the audience feeling unsatisfied. Read full review

  • 40
    The New York Times | A.O. Scott

    Mildly amusing but wholly unnecessary comedy. Read full review

View more reviews for 40 Days and 40 Nights on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says Iffy for 16+ Mildly amusing Josh Hartnett sex comedy.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that this movie has extremely explicit (often humiliating) sexual situations and references, including casual sex, masturbation, nudity, Viagra, pornography (one tape is titled: In Diana Jones and the Temple of Poon), a same-sex kiss just for effect, overall skanky behavior, and a used condom. A woman has sex with a man without his consent (he is tied to the bed and thinks she is someone else). There is very strong language. Characters drink and smoke. Some viewers will be offended by the portrayal of a Catholic seminarian (Matt's brother), who is having his own problems with the vow of chastity.
  • Families can talk about how Matt sees the world differently (literally and metaphorically) as a result of his vow. How would his relationship with Erica have been different if he had not taken the vow? Why was he unable to enjoy casual sex? Was it really his lingering feelings for Nicole or was it a sense that he had not connected with her any more than he did with his one-night stands?
The good stuff
  • message true0 Positive messages: Dishonesty; and casual sex is made out to be the norm.
What to watch for
  • violence false2 Violence: A woman ties up a man and has sex with him without his consent.
  • sex false5 Sex: Extremely explicit sexual situations and references: casual sex, masturbation, nudity, Viagra, pornography (one tape is titled: In Diana Jones and the Temple of Poon), a same-sex kiss just for effect, overall skanky behavior, and a used condom.
  • language false5 Language: Very strong language.
  • consumerism false0 Consumerism: Not an issue
  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3 Drinking, drugs and smoking: Drinking and smoking.
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

40 Days and 40 Nights Movie Ratings + Reviews

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Critics say

So-so See all critic reviews

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