recommended

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

This is ultimately a movie about the very bad things that can happen when we don't address our unease, when we just try to brush it off, whether that's to fit in or to preserve our self-image.

I was privileged to be able to attend the premiere of 41 and it was an experience I will not soon forget. I had known about the Station nightclub fire in Rhode Island that claimed the lives of 100 people. But I had not known Nick O'Neill, whose story is so compellingly told in this documentary. Nick's life had a tragic ending, but somehow 41 manages to be uplifting. Intercutting between Nick's story and his own journey as a filmmaker, Christian de Rezendes has produced a moving portrait both of the creative, rebellious, and charismatic Nick, and of his own skepticism as an objective observer to Nick's "afterlife" as a presence for his family and friends. This is a brilliant film, documentary film-making at its best. You won't think about life and death in the same way again.

Christian & Chris have made an amazing documentary that will bring most to tears. While you may not enter the theater knowing Nick O'Neill and his family, you will leave feeling like you were a friend of the family sharing in their pain and celebration of the young artist. I expected nothing less than an amazing film when Christian first began to describe the premise of "41". After getting to see the final product, his words could do it no justice. The almost eerie trends of Nick's obsession with the number 41 and how it plays throughout his life and afterlife is at times breathtaking.I was honored to be able to attend the RI Premiere and I hope the film continues to gain acclaim and accolades, just deserved. People need to see this documentary. There are universal themes that will touch us all.

"41" on its surface tells the tale of Nicholas O'Neill, the youngest victim of the Station fire in Rhode Island in 2003. It shows us not only the life cut short by tragedy, but also gives one hope that love truly is eternal. So, in a sense, one can feel that the story is about how all of us would like to be remembered and immortalized through the memories of all of our loved ones. The movie is a beautiful and emotive testament to such a vision.Nicky O'Neill was not only a gifted performer, but also a giving one. You'll see the things he did for others who went through rough times, hear the songs he wrote for his loved ones, and just really hear the story of one man's journey to see life for everything that it really is. When you hear him sing, relate, tell jokes, you'll see reflections not just of this wonderful spirit, but of people in your own life. You may even see a little of yourself.

While I have not yet had the chance to experience 41 on the big screen, I have seen the film and it is one of the most moving 1hr and 57 minutes of film-making out there today.With the source material of David Kane's book, "41 Signs of Hope", Co-directors Christian De Rezendes and Christian O'Neill have crafted not only a visual poetic testimonial dedicated to the life and music of 18yr. old Nick O'Neill, the youngest victim of the Station Nightclub Fire but also a document into the aspects of the afterlife, about how the number 41 is still occurring to this day ( and in the aspects of Nick's life; you have to see the film to see what I am referring too; no spoilers here! ) in the lives of a family that was struck with tragedy on Feb. 20, 2003. The film does not try to preach to the audience but rather, it incorporates it's message of hope through interviews and physical pictures/documents with the family and friends of Nick.It has been almost 5 years now since the fire occurred. Mr. Kane's book and this film have inspired myself ( a Tennessee resident ) to become a full supporter of this film and also the Station Fire Memorial Foundation and the Station Fire Family Fund. I hope that this film inspires others across the country not to forget the 100 that lost their lives and the survivors and all of the families affected by the tragedy of 2-20-03. I only wish I lived closer to help out more....UPDATE: On 10-28-07, I finally got the opportunity to see 41 on the big screen at the Stadium Theater; The Stadium Theater played a very important part in the life of Nick O"Neill, as it was where he acted and sang in several musicals. I was still moved to tears during the screening of this film and by some of the healing that occurred after the film's conclusion. 41 is the best film of 2007, by far..