Friday Matinee: Zero Dark Thirty
by Jenners • 02/01/2013 • Movie Review • 45 Comments
If I had to describe Zero Dark Thirty—Kathryn Bigelow’s film about the search and execution of Osama Bin Laden—in three words, I’d choose: intense, provocative and well-crafted. Here’s why.
Intense. From the opening scene (a blank screen where we listen to real calls for help during 9/11) to the last shot (of Jessica Chastain’s CIA analyst Maya letting emotion overwhelm her for the very first time), Zero Dark Thirty had me on the edge of my seat. The action scenes—from a tense moment at Camp Chapman where analysts wait for an Al-Qaeda mole to arrive for a high-level sitdown to the heart-stopping hunt for a Bin Laden’s courier on a crowded street in Pakistan to the seemingly real-time Navy SEAL takedown of Bin Laden’s walled fortress—feel like you’re watching from the inside as a participant. The quieter scenes are adrenaline-filled too: will the Saudi prince take the bribe and provide a vital phone number? Are the detainees on the tape talking about the same man? At other times, you’re tensed for violence as terrorism acts arrive abruptly and without warning—making you, as a moviegoer, feel the suddenness and bone-chilling shock of such attacks. This isn’t a movie for the light-hearted or those looking for a “pleasant night at the movies.” And then there are the torture scenes…
Provocative. The torture scenes (as well as where Bigelow and her writing partner Mark Boal got their information) are the primary area of controversy swirling around the film. Presented matter-of-factly, the scenes play without embellishment. We see a detainee being waterboarded, deprived of sleep, hung from chains, shoved into a box. We see Maya’s reaction (which mirrors our own) and then, at a pivotal moment, her true feelings about the place of torture in the CIA playbook. The film has been heavily criticized for being “pro-torture.” I don’t think it is … it is presented as something that the CIA did and therefore must be addressed. It does make you think though. Would those detainees have given up information with standard (instead of “enhanced”) interrogation techniques? In the war on terror, can you really “play by the rules” and expect to get results? Would “tradecraft” have been enough? I don’t think the film provides answers to any of these questions, but it asks them and, therefore, asks the viewer to come to their own conclusions. It is a muddled and gray area, to be sure. For all the outrage and disgust we felt at the photos of Abu Ghraib, Zero Dark Thirty shows you the before, during and aftermath of the torture and lets you come to your own conclusions about its appropriateness or use.
In addition, the film’s look at a contemporary event (which is still relatively fresh and unexplored by historians with a long view) forces us, as viewers, to decide what we feel about the verity and truth of the material presented by the filmmakers. How much is accurate? How true to life is the information? The film is based on first-hand accounts of these events, but, as we know, we all bring our own biases, misremembrances and prejudices to our experiences, especially one as sensitive as the hunt for Bin Laden. I would say that the film doesn’t feel overtly political but it can’t help but be a reflection of some of the murkier areas of the United States government and its operations.
Well-Crafted. The film covers a span of 10 years and a very convoluted and difficult operation. There was no “point A to point B” type of detective work that led to the execution of Bin Laden. It was messy, confusing, slow and uncertain. Yet, with Bigelow’s clear-eyed direction, we’re able to follow the story from beginning to end. This is saying something as I’m not always the best at figuring out complex movies on my own (just ask Mr. Jenners). However, I was able to follow along without confusion (even with the oftentimes confusing and similar Arabic names). Given the messiness of the situation and the amount of time between the actual events and the release of the film, it is absolutely stunning how precise and well-made this film is. It’s like they cut through all the BS and went to the core of the story and brought it to life for us to see. It really is a stunning piece of filmmaking at every level.
Finally, a note on the acting: Jessica Chastain is riveting as Maya. She brings a steely intelligence and intensity to the role that I didn’t know she had in her. I was really impressed. Another standout for me was Jason Clarke as Dan, a CIA analyst who conducts much of the torture but still makes you feel like this is a guy doing his f-ed up job for the right reasons.
If you want to see a piece of unflinching filmmaking that has something important to say about a contemporary history, then make the time to see Zero Dark Thirty. It isn’t pretty. It isn’t easy. It isn’t fun. Nor should it be. What it might be is the best movie I’ve seen all year.
I want to see this, but need to go without John. He thinks it will be too intense for him since he was often sent in to find enemy combatants in the war.
Glad to hear the review– as yes I am sure this is very dark in a lot of ways as the whole thing is really just tragic and dark but so awesome that they got him.
It is really fascinating to see the whole process play out and realize what was involved in tracking him down. And the actual raid on the compound was so well filmed … you felt like you were there with the SEALs.
Fantastic review, Jenners! I plan to watch this movie when it comes to DVD. I have been reading widely mixed reviews, which makes me even more intrigued.
It is definitely a divisive movie!
It sounds too intense for me to see it in the theater. I’ll have to wait for it to come out on DVD. I’ve been wanting to see it, though.
I’m a big baby with gory stuff or scary stuff and I could handle it. It is more “adrenaline” and suspense intensity, if that makes sense.
Wow. Movie reviews now? It has been awhile since I visited your site! Shame on me!
Doesn’t matter what you review, I love hearing your take on it. (Now that I’ve “grown up” and household drudgery has set in, you could do reviews of cleaning products and I’d read that too!)
Don’t worry … you’ll never see a cleaning product review on this blog!! HAHA! I made a resolution to see more movies and decided I might as well write about them or I’ll have no content ever as my reading pace has slowed down.
Great review! I’ll have to see it.
I hope you do. It is so incredibly well done. Not sure how it will play overseas though!
Wow! your favorite movie this year?!? Excellent!
My daughter saw this one and said it was great too! I never can seem to get out to the movies but hope to see this one eventually! So glad you enjoyed it and your review was quite incredible! Thanks Jenners!
I know it is early but this is a movie that stands out and is important in a real-world way … not just for entertainment.
wow, Zero Dark Thirty sounds great. I’ll have to netflix it. I’m a fan of Jessica Chastain, I actually just saw her in a film called Mama.
I was really impressed with Ms. Chastain. She seems to have an amazing range. I’m curious to see what else she is going to do. Every role seems so different.
I’m really looking forward to seeing this. I’ve been a big fan of Jason Clarke since watching him in the series Brotherhood (awesome!). I also really like Jessica Chastain – she and Clarke were also in two other movies together – Lawless, Texas Killing Fields (both great!).
I don’t remember ever seeing Jason Clarke before but he really stood out … and those eyes!!! I’ll be watching him.
I have no squabble with the politics of the torture scenes but I really couldn’t stomach them. Once past that though I totally agree with everything you said. Well, up until the best movie part. Maybe. I still have a few movies to see to decide.
I think it stands out because it is ABOUT something important and adds to a conversation that is still going on. It isn’t just fluff. That is why I rank it so highly. It isn’t just about “entertainment.” Doest that make sense?
I feel the same way as Petty–maybe I should see this movie! Excellent review.
I hope you do go see it!
I remember we were at the bowling alley when the breaking news came on about his being captured. We stayed long after it closed to watch it. I would definitely like to see the movie.
I think it was neat to see the “whole” story and how it all led up to his capture/execution.
This does sound really good.
It really really is.
I had no idea the movie covered such a long time period. I really need to see this one before the Oscars.
I think the politics will keep it from getting a Best Picture Oscar, sadly. Also, it helps you understand why it took so long to capture Osama Bin Laden … you see what went into it. It actually was amazing it even happened I think.
I have been waiting for a review of this movie! I want to see it because I am so curious about what happened and how it happened, but didn’t know if it was going to be any good or not. And there has been a lot of controversy over it, which makes me all the more curious. This is one that I am going to see in theaters, because I don’t think I can wait until video. Excellent and very provocative review today, Jenners!
Oh it is controversial but so incredibly well done. And I trust that they didn’t put this out there without doing some serious homework.
I’ve heard both good and bad about it. I’m sure my husband will get it on Netflix once it’s available, but I might just take a pass on it. I guess it will depend on how good my current book is when he decides to watch it.
Ha! I hope your book isn’t all that good.
My husband want to go see this movie. I’d prefer to wait so I get up if necessary. Sometimes it takes me a few viewings to see a movie completely.
I think we wouldn’t be good movie buddies!
This was an amazing movie. I get so freaking sick and tired of people looking to make an issue of something that actually HAPPENED. They say that actually no information obtained about the wherabouts of Bin Laden was obtained through torture, but who knows. It happened, and it would have been negligent for Bigelow to make the movie and not show it. it wasn’t glamorized either. We would love for this movie to win the Oscar, but it probably won’t unfortunately.
I hear you … I doubt it will win an Oscar. Too many people freaked out over it and angry about it. And I didn’t think it was “pro-torture” at all. I was really really impressed with Bigelow’s direction. I need to see The Hurt Locker — I never did see it and now I regret that.
Yeah I’m not sure I’d want to see it in a theatre but I definitely want to see it.
It is an important movie on many levels.
This one is my list of movies to see! I am glad to hear you liked it, found it interesting, and worthwhile. Now if I can just get myself to the movie theater…
I hope you can sneak it in one day (or night.)
The best movie you’ve seen all year? I wasn’t sure I could stomach this one in the theater but you’ve made me think maybe I should give it a try.
I’m going to see Gangster Squad with a friend next week. When I suggested it she said it didn’t sound like my kind of movie. Hello? Ryan Gosling is in it.
I heard Gangster Squad was pretty bad but, as you say, Ryan Gosling can make up for a lot of flaws. He is in some new movie called Beyond the Pines or something like that with Bradley Cooper that looks pretty good.
Not sure I want to see it in the theater – maybe Netflix. High praise!
So many people are like “I’ll just wait for Netflix.” Makes me think I should consider subscribing to Netflix!
The best movie you have seen all year? That’s some recommendation. Not a film I had planned on seeing but your review has me thinking that maybe I should.
I hope it makes it out your way!