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Day Zero
R1 - America - First Look Studios Review written by and copyright: James Teitelbaum (7th January 2008). |
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The Film
 This film poses the scary question "what would happen if the military draft in the United States was reinstituted?" Day Zero takes place more or less in the real world, with the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the Iraq war having played out just as they did in real life. The film, however, fast forwards into a near future scenario where a terrorist attack on Los Angeles has inspired the reinstatement of the draft. As the film begins, three men are drafted into military service and forced to go to the Middle East to fight. Each of the men reacts in different ways: slacker author Aaron (Elijah Wood) throws up and then goes to see his shrink (Ally Sheedy). She doesn't pay much attention to him, doing crossword puzzles during his sessions. Aaron tries picking up a girl in a bar, and she isn't much of a listener either. Aaron fears dying, fears having to kill, and can't find anyone to comfort him. He loathes the situation, but accepts it. He starts tidying up his affairs and getting into shape. Tough guy cabbie Dixon (Jon Bernthal) stares at his summons in disbelief, but then decides he wants to go and serve his country. Then he meets a girl... Yuppie lawyer George (Chris Klein) does everything he can to get out of service. He looks into having his dad pull favors with politicians, contemplates pretending to be gay, and researches becoming a conscientious objector. He is a smart guy, and is opposed to the war on every level, thinking of it as in imperialist invasion. His wife Molly (Ginnifer Goodwin) is a handful, dealing with the situation by getting angry. Her attitude definitely does not make things any easier on George. The three guys couldn't be more different from each other, but somehow they know each other. They meet up in a bar and discuss their predicament. Dixon is a simple guy and not much of an intellectual. He has bought into all of the propaganda about the war in Iraq being a war of freedom, and it being about the promotion of democracy. With no understanding that his country has become the villain on the global stage, he can't wait to go and help in the fight. George has the opposite point of view: he realizes that the violent crusade that the United States is currently perpetrating a war of unjustified aggression, and that the war is not motivated by freedom, but by greed. Aaron doesn't have much of an opinion at all. He is just afraid, and is unsure whether to listen to the opinion of George or of Dixon either way, he is going to Iraq, and that fact will not change, no matter whose perspective is more correct. With Aaron in the middle, George on the left, and Dixon on the right, it might seem as though three cut and dry viewpoints could be explored in "Day Zero". Was that the case, it might be an interesting film. What makes it a very interesting film, however, is that there are more than three points of view, and no particular issue is a black and white matter. There are grey areas and complexities to be considered, and the film does make an effort to go there. I also liked that the writers of "Day Zero" have shuffled some of the stereotypes, giving the characters a further layer of complexity. The character with the leftist point of view (George) has traits that are commonly associated with a right-wing mentality. He is wealthy, self-absorbed, and perhaps a homophobe. Aaron who might be pegged as the leftie (based on his personality) is the apolitical one in the bunch. In the end it is Aaron who gets visited by the specter of Travis Bickle, and snaps under the tension. "Day Zero" is a timely and thought provoking drama, with solid writing that explores all sides of the issue of war's place (or lack thereof) in our society, and also contains good performances by all three leads.
Video
The video is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. As a brand-new film, the transfer is fine. The DVD transfer was completed competently, with the muted color palette represented cleanly and consistently. The lack of extras and moderate running time meant that compression could be minimized; the film looks clean. Running time is 1:32:52.
Audio
"Day Zero" is presented in English Dolby Digital 5.1, with English and Spanish subtitles. This is a dialogue-driven movie, so the surrounds don't have a whole lot to do. Occasional music and ambient effects pop p in back, but overall the focus of this movie is a front-and-center, performance-based experience. There are no optional subtitles on this disc.
Extras
First look has released this film with it's original theatrical trailer that runs for 1 minute 25 seconds and a selection of bonus trailers for: - "Blonde and Blonder" which runs for 1 minute 7 seconds. - "The Amateurs" which runs for 1 minute 55 seconds. - "The Perfect Witness" which runs for 45 seconds. - "Smiley Face" which runs for 1 minute - "Strays" which runs for 1 minute 58 seconds. - "Sex and Breakfast" which runs for 58 seconds. - "King of California" which runs for 1 minute 21 seconds.
Overall
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