The Event

R

Released Oct 3, 2003

1h 50m

Drama

List

44%

Tomatometer

50 Reviews

52%

Audience Score

1,000+ Ratings

Manhattan prosecutor Nick (Parker Posey) is charged with looking into the untimely death of city resident Matt (Don McKellar), a musician who had AIDS. As she questions Matt's loyal family members -- mother Lila (Olympia Dukakis) and sister Dana (Sarah Polley) -- she comes to learn that his closest pal, health-care worker Brian (Brent Carver), is an ardent believer in assisted suicide, and that he threw Matt a big party before his death. This presents a dilemma for humane but dutiful Nick.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Intelligent, moving, but annoyingly self-satisfied...

Aug 2, 2022

Full Review

Sheila Norman-Culp

Associated Press

Uneven yet brave and touching.

Jan 23, 2019

Full Review

Allison Benedikt

Chicago Tribune

To make a movie in 2003, one that centers around AIDS but ignores the epidemic's current culprit, Africa, and toys melodramatically with scenarios steeped in the filmmakers' selfish nostalgia without any real point, is to ask us not to think at all.

Rated: 2/4

Dec 18, 2003

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The superb performances by Olympia Dukakis and Don McKellar are what make this film rise above its limited but well-meaning script.

Rated: B-

Apr 15, 2008

Full Review

Rich Cline

Shadows on the Wall

[Deals] with extremely serious themes in a frank, honest and often humorous way.

Rated: 4/5

Mar 22, 2004

Full Review

Paul Sherman

Boston Herald

Rated: 1/4

Dec 19, 2003

Full Review

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Audience Member

Wow. Excellent. Right up there with "Philadelphia" & "And the Band Played On"

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

72% "Everyone has AIDS! AIDS, AIDS, AIDS, AIDS, AIDS!"-Gary Johnston (Trey Parker), TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE Being a gay man...I mean a straight man, I don't catch to many of these types of titles. Nothing horrible and nothing great. "Don't mess with a drag queen!"-Rory Metzler (Rejean J. Cournoyer)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is a movie that takes itself entirely too seriously - trying to be very artsy and failing. It's the story of a young man who has AIDS and is dying. Rather than continue with the pain (note takes place in 2000) and putting off the inevitable he chooses to commit suicide but not before throwing a big goodbye party with all of his friends and family. Problem here is this same story was told in "It's My Party" (a 5 star movie) which was done so much better. Parker Posey is just awful in this film and I'm a big fan. Olympia Dukakis saves this clunker from being a 1 star for me. She can make just about anything look good. Don't bother - watch "It's My Party" instead.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Once I figured out what the "mystery" was, I really wanted to like this movie, but it never felt like anything more than cheap exploitation.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Somewhat morbid - having a suicide party inviting all your friends & family, getting drunk, dancing, saying your goodbyes then going into the bedroom and swallowing a cocktail of pills... Still I suppose its better than lying in a hospital bed writhing about in pain for the last few months... The movie had a good story & the humour was there but just seemed a bit forced, could have been directed better - had a good plot with not much punch...

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I had no idea how much I would cry while watching this movie. I was a complete mess. Suicide is such a taboo subject and I'm sure many people don't think its right, but if you were dying and wanted to go on your own terms then I say do it. Its your life and you should be able to do what you want with it. I know that I don't ever want to be left in a vegetable state. The cast was fantastic, but Olympia Dukakis gave such an outstanding performance. When she took matters in her own hands and forced the pills into her sons mouth really got me. If you like to cry, then this movie is for you!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

Full Review

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Thom Fitzgerald

Director

Parker Posey

Nick

Olympia Dukakis

Lila

Don McKellar

Matt

Sarah Polley

Dana

Brent Carver

Brian

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Synopsis

Manhattan prosecutor Nick (Parker Posey) is charged with looking into the untimely death of city resident Matt (Don McKellar), a musician who had AIDS. As she questions Matt's loyal family members -- mother Lila (Olympia Dukakis) and sister Dana (Sarah Polley) -- she comes to learn that his closest pal, health-care worker Brian (Brent Carver), is an ardent believer in assisted suicide, and that he threw Matt a big party before his death. This presents a dilemma for humane but dutiful Nick.

Director: Thom Fitzgerald
Producer: Bryan Hofbauer, Thom Fitzgerald
Distributor: ThinkFilm
Rating: R (Language|Some Drug Use|Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 3, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 13, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $35.5K
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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