You Are There -- Jessica Chastain Rules

Rating: 9/10 (2 February 2013)

Initially, I was reluctant to see Zero Dark 30. But am I glad I did, despite the 157-minute length. Which drags for only a brief moment or two in the middle of the film mind you.
Zero Dark 30 turns the old phrase, "It's like being there" on its head to YOU ARE THERE.
Kathryn Bigelow (Hurt Locker 2008) has surpassed all. The realism (from my seat) was Astounding. The cinematography amazing. I felt like I was right there with our special forces. Wow.
Jessica Chastain (The Debt 2010) was Truly Brilliant as Maya, the supremely motivated CIA agent who takes on this crusade as a personal mission and doggedly tracks down Osama Bin Ladin. According to Entertainment Weekly, Maya was Chastain's own incarnation since she was unable to meet the real "Maya." She showed tremendous resolve and near robot-like ability to forge ahead in spite of the Agency's continual roadblocks and criticism from her peers and colleagues. This on top of the usual hurdles one faces in a quest of this scope and magnitude.
A fine and compelling performance from CIA agent Dan (Jason Clarke; who also appeared in Lawless; Public Enemies; and Death Race). He is quite the interrogator. And Maya's peer too.
Our old friend James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano in The Sopranos - HBO) weighs in as the CIA Director. Good to see "Tony" in action.
Even though we know the outcome, the suspense was there from beginning to end.
The cinematography was truly amazing, capturing the ruts, zigs and zags of the various Third World countries and hunt for Osama Bin Ladin. The military equipment was real, at least to me. The camera bounces around a fair bit, not quite like a roller coaster, but enough so I felt like I was riding shotgun (walking alongside) with the agents and ready for a menacing nemesis or two to be lurking just around the corner.
One warning (and I don't think this is a Spoiler): there are some torture scenes in the first approximately half hour of the movie.
But interestingly enough, I found these scenes somewhat less upsetting than the torture scenes in James Bond's Casino Royale (Daniel Craig, 2006). Maybe I was forewarned here or expecting these scenes in Zero Dark Thirty. I sure hope I'm not desensitized.
On a more realistic and somber note, my friend and mentor Bill's son Rich Died in 9/11. He was a Citibank - Citigroup employee. By some fluke, a colleague asked him to join a meeting at Cantor Fitzgerald, on the top floor of The World Trade Center... Thankfully, the rescuers found Rich's remains and the family held a wake. Bill has never been the same! Understandably so. Who would!
Throughout the movie though, I was left wondering why are humans such a violent lot?
Aren't we supposed to be the most intelligent species?
Years back I happened to attend a Holocaust presentation. One survivor said he and his colleagues hid in the forest to avoid the Nazis. Some nights, they slept, huddled with a pack of wild boars - to keep warm in the cold, cold winter. Mixed species seeking warmth. The boars welcomed another being to help create warmth. Will we be fighting for another 5,000 years to come?
Why?
Is this really necessary?
Many Heartfelt Thanks to our Armed Forces and Navy Seals for their efforts to protect us! No small feat. A great sacrifice!
While we ponder society's future or whether this review is too surreal or deep, be sure to see Zero Dark Thirty! And Live the History. Nine stars.
Arthur VanDam, film critic and author