Zero Dark Thirty

Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

When I first saw the trailer for Zero Dark Thirty last summer; I was excited about the thought of being able to see how the manhunt for Osama bin Laden unfolded. I had just seen Act of Valor and thought that a movie done in the same style, with a more notable cast and bigger budget would be the best action movie to hit the theaters since Die Hard. What Zero Dark Thirty delivers, however, is a taut political thriller with some action thrown in at the end. I shouldn't really say "thrown" in. It was very deliberate in its placement. The majority of the film sets up the last half hour. The audience sees how the persistence of a few CIA agents eventually leads to the discovery of bin Laden's compound and, ultimately, his death.

The strongest aspect that Zero Dark Thirty has going for it is its incredible cast. Jessica Chastain, Kyle Chandler, Mark Strong, Jason Clarke, and a few other less well known folks deliver fantastic performances. The character that many will relate to is Maya (Chastain). She embodies that urge that America had to find and kill bin Laden. In the beginning (which takes place shortly after 9/11) she is a timid CIA operative that has been shipped out to the Middle East to aid in terrorist interrogation. Over the next ten years her life becomes consumed with the hunt for an impossible man to find. The rest of the CIA (and the country) have all but forgotten about bin Laden or are at least not actively thinking about him. Maya represents that undying desire to seek vengeance. She becomes consumed with finding him. She has no friends, rarely leaves her home for social occasions, and is worn and haggard by the end of the film. What's important to note though is that without her commitment, bin Laden would have continued to live in hiding for many more years. The question that Zero Dark Thirty leaves us with is "what do we do now"?

There has been a myriad of controversy surrounding Zero Dark Thirty. Accusations of pro-torture and a strategic theatrical release have been hurled by the Left and the Right. I am not going to go into too much detail because I don't want to get preachy or political. What I will discuss is what I experienced as I watched the film. If you want the arguments then go here.

Torture is actually not a huge plot device in Zero Dark Thirty. I believe there are three maybe four scenes of "active" torture. These actions, however, lead to information pertinent to the hunt for bin Laden. The information is not revealed during a torture scene but it is implied that the detainees were worn down to the point where they gave in and provided information. I think war is a necessary evil. Human beings are not perfect creatures so there will always be conflict. In times of great duress despicable things must be done to obtain information that could save a many lives. I believe that is what the film is trying to convey. As far as the strategic theatrical release; there is nothing pro or anti any President in the film. There are references to the WMD hunt of Bush's terms but it was about the lack of intelligence they had regarding their invasions.

No BS

Zero Dark Thirty is not an action movie. If you're wanting to see SEAL Team 6 busting in and kicking ass for two and a half hours then look elsewhere. What we are provided with is a story about the bureaucracy behind the bin Laden manhunt. The story drags at times and it is easy to lose track of the several Islamic names that are given in the film. If you can pay attention and follow the story then you will be rewarded with one of the best combat scenes in recent movie history.

My Score: 7/10