Day Zero

Release Date: 2008-01-18
Genre: Drama


Director: Robert Malkani

Cast: Elijah Wood, Chris Klein, Ginnifer Goodwin, Jon Bernthal


Summary: DAY ZERO stars Elijah Wood, Jon Bernthal, Chris Klein, and Ginnifer Goodwin. DAY ZERO is a timely political and personal story of three young men as the military draft is reinstated. Three best friends, George (Chris Klein) a successful lawyer, Dixon (Jon Bernthal) a tough-as-nails cab driver, and Feller (Elijah Wood) a writer with a host of insecurities, are drafted and given 30 days to report for duty. In that time they're forced to confront everything they believe about courage, duty, love, friendship and honor.


Review:

Day Zero provides an incredible look at how 3 men handle the military draft being reinstated. They have only 30 days to process that they will be going overseas to fight, and each of the men, while they are best friends, handle the situation drastically different. One is ready to go and fight for his country, one is trying to find a way out, and the other simply looses all sanity as 30 day period comes to a close.

The entire cast did a fantastic job at becoming their characters. The writing allowed the audience to see the character development. There was a scene towards the middle of the movie where the characters share stories about the worst things they had done in their lives. The story that Chris Klein’s character tell provides a great deal of insight into his feelings and approach to the modern day situation. Jon Bernthal’s character, Dixon, provides a backbone of patriotism that is steadfast and perhaps even a little hasty. His character has grown up fighting for those he loved and for what he believes in, and that translates to eagerness for the 30 days to elapse and for departure for the Middle East. Saving the best for last, Elijah Wood is simply fantastic in this film, and without question one of his best performances to date. He is disturbing and realistic and rounds out the film with a darkness that ultimately defines his character.

Day Zero is the type of movie Hollywood should make more often. It’s not subtle, and it’s not afraid. It’s a timely political drama and some may find it a bit too familiar for comfort, but it’s well executed, superbly acted, and aggressively tackles important issues. It hits hard, brace yourself.


Grade: A-