"40 Days and 40 Nights" is a 2002 romantic comedy film directed by Michael Lehmann and written by Rob Perez.
The film follows Matt Sullivan, a San Francisco web designer who has chosen to abstain from any sexual contact for the duration of Lent. The film depicts Matt's struggles with his abstinence and his relationships with the people around him, particularly Erica Sutton, a woman he meets at a coffee shop.
The film begins with Matt Sullivan, a San Francisco web designer who has chosen to abstain from any sexual contact for the duration of Lent. On Day 38, Matt has an inadvertent erection at work and is sent home. Nicole arrives at his apartment, having broken up with her cheating fiancé, but Matt rejects her advances and sends her away. Matt then meets Erica Sutton at a coffee shop, and they begin a romantic relationship. However, Matt's abstinence is tested when he starts to develop feelings for Erica.
The film features a talented cast, including Josh Hartnett as Matt Sullivan, Shannyn Sossamon as Erica Sutton, Paulo Costanzo as Ryan, Vinessa Shaw as Nicole, and Maggie Gyllenhaal as Sam. The film was produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, and Michael London. It was shot in San Francisco and features a mix of comedy and drama. The film's budget was $17 million and it grossed $95.1 million worldwide.
The film received mixed reviews from critics, with a 39% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised the performances of the cast, particularly Hartnett and Sossamon, but found the romantic subplot to be weak. The film was nominated for a Satellite Award for Best Actress – Musical or Comedy for Sossamon's performance. The film earned in its opening weekend $12,229,529. It earned $37,939,782 at the domestic box office and $57,152,885 in other territories, for a worldwide total of $95,146,283.