I went to see ZERO DARK THIRTY today at the Manville Reading Cinemas today. There has been a lot of talk about the political ramifications of this film, notably with the opening torture scenes, but I felt that it was rather objective in its depiction of everything. And I mean everything. Not a whiff of jingoism or liberalism to be had, and for the contemporary war/conflict film this is the right way to do it.
A laser focused Jessica Chastain plays the quiet yet super-determined CIA operative sent out into the field in 2003 to hunt for Osama Bin Laden, and the film shows the laborious process of intelligence gathering over the course of nearly a decade she is involved in. Not an action heavy film, but the climactic raid is extremely well choreographed, and there are many prolonged passages of tension and anticipation spread throughout.
Kathryn Bigelow has followed up THE HURT LOCKER with another excellent study of modern warfare. I am very impressed with her reportage/documentary style of filmmaking she has explored in both films. She has evolved tremendously as a director and is very sure of her approach and execution. Recommended for adults who like serious entertainment about real adults, and not the 30-40 something children who populate Hollywood’s purported “adult” enterprises.
James Fazzaro 