2 Days in the Valley - Danny Aiello Vs. James Spader

This is Not Your Father's Hitman Movie!

2 Days In The Valley comes with all-star ensemble cast, a perfect soundtrack, and way too much story to fit into one film. It seems writer/director John Herzfeld thought this was going to be his big break away from TV movies and into making major motion pictures, so he was looking to provide something for everyone. Even IMDB felt the need to include the film in four distinct genres (comedy, crime, drama and thriller). Unfortunately, it's not quite any of these.

The Cast-

Danny Aiello plays a washed up hitman trying to get back in the game; James Spader plays his client who just happens to be an ubercool hit man himself; Charlize Theron makes her first (credited) appearance as Spader's girlfriend; Teri Hatcher plays an Olympic skier going through a messy divorce; Keith Carradine, Eric Stoltz and Jeff Daniels are all cops who stumble into the middle of the mess being made; Paul Mazursky plays John Herzfeld, er... I mean the suicidal writer/director of poorly made TV movies; and, finally, Greg Cutwell, Glenne Headly, and Marsha Mason all manage to get caught up in the madness as well.

The Good-

As an aficionado of hitman movies I can say that this one certainly is unique. It blends the traditional 'redemption of the assassin' and 'hitman vs. hitman' sub-genres quite well.

The acting is excellent all around, though James Spader really shines while giving the phrase 'minute man' a rather unique twist. The chemistry between Aiello and Headly is absolutely palpable and Greg Cutwell does such a great job in his role as a pompous jerk that most viewers will probably want to shoot him themselves. In fact, most of the characters are compelling.