Day Zero (2008) Movie Information:

Day Zero (2008) Directed by: Not available at this time Day Zero (2008) Written by: Not available at this time Day Zero (2008) Cast: Ally Sheedy, Chris Klein, Elijah Wood, Ginnifer Goodwin, Jon Bernthal

Day Zero (2008) U.S. Distributor: First Look Pictures Day Zero (2008) U.K. Distributor: Not available at this time

Our Rating: User Rating:  Log in to rate this movie

Day Zero (2008) Synopsis:

The U.S. military draft is back. You have 30 days to report... Day Zero follows the lives of three best friends in New York City who have 30 days to come to terms with their fate, the draft is back and they've been called to serve. Dixon, Rifkin and Feller, who grew up together, live very different lives in the same city, but their childhood friendship still binds them. Rifkin (Chris Klein) is a married lawyer whose career is on the rise. He's just made partner and is looking for any loop hole to get out of serving. Now is just is not a good time for him. Feller (Elijah Wood) is working on his second novel. The first was a smash success, but his draft notice paralyzes him, causing severe writer's block. Instead he draws up his list of 'Top 10 Things to Do Before I Serve.' Dixon (Jon Bernthal) drives a cab, lives a solitary life and is proud and ready to serve - until he meets someone and finally has something to lose. Over 30 days, they will find their relationships tested as they confront long held beliefs about life, death, courage and love.

Day Zero (2008) Movie Review:

Day Zero is a political story set in the not so distant future. The conflict in the Middle East has escalated, forcing the hand of the United States government to reinstate the draft. Affected by this political change are a group of friends from New York: George (Chris Klein), a high-strung lawyer, Dixon (Jon Bernthal) a street-smart cab driver, and Aaron (Elijah Woods) a timid writer with a slue of personal issues. Day Zero follows the guys as they struggle with the idea of leaving their homes and loved ones in order to put their lives on the line for their country.

The filmmakers pose an interesting and politically charged question in Day Zero. As they say in the film, this is the first generation of American men who were not subject to the draft, and so when that right is repealed, turmoil ensues. Despite this intriguing premise, the overall film falls flat. The filmmakers seem to have lost the proverbial forest for the trees. They try too hard to tug at the viewer’s heartstrings, creating an implausible story that loses focus and ultimately muddies its own voice.

The film protagonists are a group of stereotypical young men as different as can be. First there is George. George is a successful lawyer, who just made partner at his firm. To make his story just a little more tragic, George and his wife have just finished dealing with her bout with cancer, now in remission, and the pair are looking forward to taking advantage of her victory. George’s father is a friend of the senator’s, whom they plead with to get George out of the draft.

Next there is Dixon, the tough as nails, street-smart cabbie with a heart of gold and a mind of his own. Dixon is a troubled young man who has had to deal with less than great parents but he is always a true friend. At one point in the film, he very swiftly and effectively takes on a violent pimp who has just roughed up the Elijah Woods character. However, despite his tough exterior, at home Dixon is a caring intellectual sort who has befriended the tween neighbor girl, serving as a safe outlet for her when her mother is drunk. He is also presented as an intellectual who subscribes to The Economist. Dixon is ready and eager to answer the call of duty for his country.

Lastly there is Aaron. Aaron is a troubled young man. He is quite possibly the most “lost” of the group. The deeply troubled Aaron is frequently shown in his therapist’s office, played by Ally Sheedy, who could not care less. She is shown doing cross-word puzzles during their sessions; her advice is uncaring, dismissive and reckless. He struggles the most due to his slight stature as well as with his own demons.

Day Zero could have really been an insightful and tragic film falls victim to the adage, “If its everyone’s film, its nobody’s film.” The film would have been much stronger if they would have chosen to follow one of the characters rather than all three. Ultimately it is this decision that results in the film’s voice becoming tragically weak and lost in the shuffle.

Our Rating: User Rating:  Log in to rate this movie

Day Zero (2008) review written by: Andrew Mattson