Fascinating insight

Rating: 8/10 (16 February 2013)

Zero Dark Thirty was originally supposed to be about the unsuccessful decade-long manhunt for Osama Bin Laden. That would've been OK. But on May 2 2011, when the world was celebrating, I can guarantee the filmmakers of Zero Dark Thirty were celebrating twice as hard. They'd just had their film completely rewritten in the space of half an hour. Now with a much more satisfying synopsis and a subject the world would be fascinated to see a re-enactment of, they were onto something special. The film is basically a two hour build-up to the main event, the assassination of Osama Bin Laden. But it's also more than that. There's some intriguing insight given into what went down over the course of ten years and it has caused a lot of controversy, but no one can deny that it's a very well made film.
Kathryn Bigelow is making a big name for herself in Hollywood these days. Her last film was 2008's Academy Award's Best Picture winner 'The Hurt Locker' and now she's followed it up with another Best Picture nominated film. There's nothing feminine about her directing style. It's just as hard-hitting, and at times brutal, as any male director in Hollywood and occasionally even more so. The torture scenes in Zero Dark Thirty, while not taken too far, are realistic and effective. They serve their purpose well. If Bigelow can follow this up with a third success in a row then her name might just start to be mentioned alongside the greats. I'm sure a lot of people will be keeping a close eye on what she chooses to explore next.
Jessica Chastain has been nominated for another Best Actress award this year at the Oscars for Zero Dark Thirty and is even in contention to win the award. I didn't think she was anything on the likes of Emmanuelle Riva personally, but I do think she's in golden form at the moment (much like Bigelow) and it won't be long before she wins herself a much deserved Oscar. As far as liking the film goes I'd suggest it's about as simple as this: if the concept of the assassination of Osama Bin Laden interests you, you'll like the film. If it doesn't, you won't. It was a touch long for my liking and I feel it could've had 15 minutes shaved off it to appeal to an ever wider audience who might not have the patience of others. Overall though an effective, engaging and fascinating piece of cinema.