The Cost of Freedom

Rating: 10/10 (12 January 2013)

" The bin Laden operation was a landmark achievement by our country, by our military, by our Intelligence Community, and by our Agency, " - Acting Director of the CIA, Michael Morell
Films that claim to be based on a true story have a tendency to be hyperbolic and are usually far from the truth they claim to purport. Zero Dark Thirty has gained that infamous reputation in some circles. After rave reviews from critics and winning its share of awards, there has suddenly been a backlash of sorts against this film since its wider release throughout the country this month. Some governmental officials and lawmakers are demanding an inquiry into the facts leading to this docudrama about the subsequent manhunt for Osama bin Ladin. Kathryn Bigalow's controversial film has certainly struck a nerve with this emotional topic and America's methods to eradicate its number one enemy. In trying to connect the facts of this historic mission, Bigalow has also created a cinematic masterpiece, a thought-provoking and thrilling insider's look into the exhausting investigation that brought about this terrorist's death and, with it, some initial closure to the 9/11 tragedy. Revenge is said to be sweet, but this film shows the bitter aftertaste of freedom as well. And as for victory, at what cost?
After 10 years from the collapse of the World Trade Center and the senseless loss of human lives, questions still need to be asked: Are we too close to this political mass murder to create an objective analysis of this event? Do we, as a country, fear the truth about our actions and those of our enemies? Can this or any film be therapeutic to our national healing, or is it all too soon? If not, then when? Zero Dark Thirty dares to explore these inquiries and shed some light on the actual mission.
The title Zero Dark Thirty means an unspecific time between midnight and dawn, which were the estimated military time of the raid on bin Laden's secret headquarters. The film begins with a black screen. The sounds of that fateful Tuesday in September over a decade ago are heard. The pain, the chaos, and the cries of those innocent victims resonates. Without any visual support, the frightening images are fully realized, scarred in our memory. It is a devastating beginning that will lead to the film's devastating end. ( Kudos to Paul N.J. Ottosson's for his remarkable sound editing work. )
The film uses fictitious characters to tell its tale, but is remarkable in its honest and detailed approach to its subject. The CIA agents are shown to be dedicated workers trying to piece together any clue to bin Laden's whereabouts, particularly one female agent named Maya ( the talented Jessica Chastain in another excellent performance ). Her obsession and tenaciousness bring her closer to solving this mystery. But it is this woman working in a man's world that helps to make the film even more complex and riveting, as she tries to excise anything in the way of her pursuit.
It is apparent that Zero Dark Thirty was heavily researched and Mark Boal's compelling screenplay is a remarkable piece of concise writing mixed with factual data. The time-line of events compresses years of investigative fact-finding by the CIA with other al-Qaeda terrorist attacks globally. While initially the film takes its time to build and connect these story lines, causing the film to seem slow-moving, Boal then shrewdly focuses more on the historic events and less on the individual characters, except for our heroine who serves as the emotional center. This gives a more natural and realistic undercurrent, a gritty and raw sense of foreboding.
Bigalow's direction is flawless. The film is concise and gripping throughout. The action sequences build tension so well and lay the groundwork for the film's memorable Navy Seals' climactic invasion, done in all of its green night vision glory. ( The editing by Dylan Tichenor and William Goldenberg and the photography by Greig Fraser in this set piece are exceptional. )
But perhaps the most controversial element of the film is in the beginning section of the film ( the Bush years ) when Bigalow doesn't shy away from the darker side of the investigation. Her ability to include the torture and the humiliation of prisoners as just one means to gain information for bin Laden's capture is on full display ( and probably was much worse than depicted on the screen ). It was an undeniable part of the logistics that led to bin Laden's demise. Still, these sessions are relentless and make for uncomfortable but necessary viewing for all serious moviegoers. ( And it is in these horrific scenes that our government leaders doth protest too much. Like it or not, violent interrogation methods played a pivotal role to the success of this mission, contrary to American government claims that the U.S. does not sanctioned such immoral tactics as water-boarding. ) Yes, war is hell and you are caught in all of its ugliness and horror. That is what makes Zero Dark Thirty such an important and courageous example of superior filmmaking.
Zero Dark Thirty recounts the hunt for an extremist, but it also probes the ethics of war and all of the innocent and guilty casualties it leaves in its wake. From its opening sounds of horror to its concluding blood-soaked images, this important film comes full circle. This is a film not to be missed. GRADE: A-
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NOTE: There remain conspiracy theories that bin Laden died of natural causes in December, 2001. Some also believe that the execution of this terrorist leader in May of 2011 never happened and was orchestrated by the American government as a cover-up. This leads to yet another question: Whose truth is it anyway? And at what cost?