Zero Dark Thirty

We have all seen war films before. We have even seen war films based on a particular battle, attack, or incident. With the exception of '08's "The Hurt Locker", I can't remember when a war film was quite as intense as "Zero Dark Thirty". Interesting that these two films were done by the same people.

This chronicles Maya (Jessica Chastain) who is a CIA operative. Her whole first experience is in the interrogation of prisoners following the Al Qaeda attacks against the U.S. on the 11th of September 2001. The film starts with her being trained to interrogate by shadowing a fellow operative, Dan (Jason Clarke) as he interrogates Ammar (Reda Kateb). As Dan uses tactics of duress, such as water-boarding, isolation in a small box, stripping them naked, this is all to break them down so as to give them the feeling of helplessness. Maya is reluctant to participate in these extreme tactics, but believes that the truth may only be obtained through such tactics.
For several years, she is single-minded in her pursuit of leads to uncover the whereabouts of Al Qaeda's leader, Osama Bin Laden. Finally, in May 2011, it appears that her work will pay off, and a Navy SEAL team lead by Squadron Team Leader, Patrick (Joel Edgerton) is sent to kill or capture Bin Laden. But only Maya is confident Bin Laden is where she says he is. Even her boss, Joseph Bradley (Kyle Chandler) and the CIA director (James Gandolfini) question where he might be even though Maya has spent the better part of ten years trying to figure it out.

Others to round out the cast are Jennifer Ehle as Jessica, Chris Pratt as Justin-DEVGRU, Harold Perrineau as Jack, Jeremy Strong as Thomas, J.J Kandel as J.J., Mark Duplass as Steve, Taylor Kinney as Jared-DEVGRU, Callen Mulvey as Saber-DEVGRU, Siaosi Fonua as Henry-DEVGRU, Phil Somerville as Phil-DEVGRU, Nash Edgerton as Nate-DEVGRU, Mike Colter as Mike-DEVGRU, and Frank Grillo as Squadron Commanding Officer.

This was brilliantly directed by Kathryn Bigelow ("The Loveless" '82, "Near Dark" '87, "Blue Steel" '89, "Point Break" '91, "Strange Days" '95, "The Weight of Water" 2000, "K-19: The Widowmaker" '02, "The Hurt Locker" '08, "The Miraculous Year" (TV movie) '11). Each and every frame of film was chocked full of intensity. Even though you know how this ends, the experience she creates in different scenes still keep you right on the edge of your seat. This was equally well written by Mark Boal ("In the Valley of Elah" (story) '07, "The Hurt Locker" '08). The film has recently been nominated for an Oscar for best picture. Even though it was released today, it was limited released on 12-19-12, so it squeaked in before the 12-31-12 deadline to be eligible for any Oscar nominations.

Anyone who wants to see a war film that is dripping with painstaking realism, will revel with this. Actually, who would want to see a war film unless it is as realistic as possible? I think both Bigelow and Boal answered this question for us in spades.

Out of 4 Stars: 4                            Rated: R                              157mins.