Zero Dark Thirty

2012
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Writer: Mark Boal
Stars: Jessica Chastain, Jason Clarke, Joel Edgerton

It is testimony to Kathryn Bigelow's skill as a director that a film whose ending you are already aware of can be this gripping and tense. When the cinema screen slowly faded to black after a poignant final shot, I was left rather exhausted. I felt as if I hadn't blinked in hours.

This story for the decade-long hunt for Osama Bin Laden following the tragic events of 9/11 centres on Jessica Chastain's Maya, a young CIA operative who is obsessed with finding Bin Laden. Starting as an apprehensive employee who stays in the shadows of the torture room, the arduous and relentless hunt makes her extremely determined and controlled. Chastain carries the film perfectly. With expressions that convey her emotions without a single utterance, she never over-compensates and makes Homeland's Carrie seem a far-fetched impersonation. The hunt may have left her cold, but we root for her nonetheless; she is the epitome of a resilient and independent woman. Backed up a strong cast, it is the role that should win her an Oscar but, by the looks of it, unfortunately will not.

For a "war film", it is often low on action and with a plot that spans ten years, it jumps quickly, leaving certain back stories to be omitted. We know little about Maya's home life except that socialising with friends is not on her agenda but this illustrates the life of a CIA operative, whose bravery will often be unknown to the world. With the exception of a few welcomed laughs, the film is resoundingly dark, both thematically and visually. In the raid itself, the picture is almost completely void of light as we witness a lot of events through the green-tinted night vision goggles of the Navy team. This scene in particular keeps you on edge; we know the outcome but for that moment, you feel as nervous as they would have.

We do not see the cheers of the CIA operatives nor the joyous waving of the American flag once Bin Laden has been found. The promotional images may show Chastain's shadow against the country's flag but Bigelow does not throw pro-American ideals at us; we are left to decide ourselves where our morals lie regarding the War on Terror. The torture controversy has unfortunately overshadowed the film's release, but had that notion not been in my mind due to the press, I doubt I would have considered the film to condone torture, especially when torturous means do not always, and certainly not immediately, succeed.

Kathryn Bigelow's directing Oscar snub is ridiculous - David O. Russell for Silver Linings Playbook? Really? It may have only been three years since she won for The Hurt Locker (which I think just has the edge) but under her direction, the film brings together brilliant acting, a gripping script with a dark soundtrack and visuals to leave a poignant and thought-provoking piece of cinema. I still have Lincoln and Beasts of the Southern Wild to see, but if I were voting, Zero Dark Thirty would be my Best Picture.

9/10