Product Details

• Actors: Sarah Polley, Jane Leeves, Parker Posey, Don McKellar, Olympia Dukakis
• Directors: Thom Fitzgerald
• Format: NTSC, Import, Dolby, Subtitled
• Subtitles: Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Run Time: 110 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001716X7K

Editorial Reviews

SYNOPSIS: A mystery tale driven both emotionally and politically by two opposing truths. Truth No. 1: Matt wants to die; his AIDS cocktail no longer works, his health is failing fast, and he wants to leave this earth with his friends and family around him. Truth No. 2: Choosing to die is illegal. Later, when Matt is found dead--it is discovered that his death was not due to natural causes. Enter Nick, a sharp Manhattan district attorney, who is investigating Matt''s death--the most recent in a series of unexplained suicide-like deaths that have taken place in the Chelsea district''s gay community. Now, she is pushing hard to get to the bottom of his death. Nick''s investigation leads her to interview Matt''s friends and family, which triggers a host of flashbacks that reveal secrets about his life and death. An intricate patchwork of relationships slowly unfold, explaining the behind-the-scenes events surrounding Matt''s shrouded death.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important and impressive film, April 17, 2004

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Event (DVD)

THE EVENT came and went in the theatres like some spectral ghost which, despite its trappings, failed to serve notice of its importance not only as a social comment but as a showcase for some excellent talent. Director Thom Fitzgerald deserves great respect (and most certainly an audience!) for the brave statement of his film and the facile utilization of some extraordinary talent. The "Event" of the title refers to a final party for Matt (Don McKellar), a young man blessed with many friends and family, who has decided to end his deteriorating life of struggle with AIDS with a suicide finale, gaged to be abetted by those closest to him. The glitch comes (after the death) when detective "Nick" DeVivo (Parker Posey) decides that assisted suicide is a crime that must be punished and proceeds to investigate all of the people involved. It is this investigation that introduces us to Matt's entourage - a glitteringly excellent cast of family (Olympia Dukakis as his mother, Brent Carver as his partner) and friends, which include roles for Sarah Polly, Jane Leeves, and an actor who makes a Drag Queen performance one of the strongest roles since Torch Song Trilogy. Through a series of thoughtful flashbacks and flash-forwards we are allowed insight into each of these characters and to the reality of exactly how Matt's final wishes were completed - a tender and wonderful surprise ending. This story is told with a simultaneous celebration of life and a warm tenderness for the meaning of love in all its phases and forms, all in a setting of the persistent ravaging plague of AIDS that continues to deprive the world of treasured citizens and spirits. Fitzgerald is able to accomplish this without resorting to the maudlin, the banal, or the tempting "somewhere over the rainbow" saccharine tone that often accompanies films of this nature. This is a remarkable achievement and in every way this movie stands tall. Highly recommended.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Pleasant Surprise, April 26, 2008

By 

Steven James (Washington State) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Event (DVD)

It's like Russian Roulette when I pick up a random DVD from the clearance rack just for the excitement of watching a film I've never heard of. I did that today and was pleasantly surprised at what a great film "The Event" was. This moving story which centered around assisted suicide was touching, sad, funny in parts, and relevant. The acting was great, especially by Olympia Dukakis who delivers a quietly understated powerhouse performance, her strongest in years. The weak link of the film was Parker Posey as the District Attorney. I usually love her movies but she was terribly miscast in this film. Had I never seen her earlier performaces I may have believed her, but she is so typecast that it's hard to take her seriously. Overall I would highly recommend this movie, but it's not a film for everyone. The subject matter and theme is grim but the overall production is outstanding. If you like offbeat independent films with great acting and mature subject matter then I would highly recommend you check out "The Event".

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Sad Honesty, February 26, 2005

By 

Daryl Frasch "Daryl" (Hooksett, NH USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Event (DVD)

A beautiful film with a wonderful cast, "The Event" is the story of one man's battle with AIDS and his wish to die with his dignity still intact. We are shown through segmented flashbacks, and scenes from the present, how his decision affects the people who love him and hold him so dear to their hearts. It is at once comedic and emotionally intense, pulling at your heart with its honesty and its brutal display of humanity. A story of a higher love, the strong bonds of family and the loyalty of trusted friends, "The Event" is a sure-fire film to satisfy those seeking tender characters, human emotions and the provoking of thoughts.