Cinema Spotlight: Riveting narrative, stellar performances brighten ‘Zero Dark Thirty’
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With an unflinching narrative, seasoned performances and thrilling execution, “Zero Dark Thirty” gives a gripping depiction of the decade between Sept. 11 and the eventual killing of Osama Bin Laden.
It's shown from the perspective of a CIA operative named Maya, a role that cements Jessica Chastain's status one of Hollywood's top talents.
For years, Maya examines foreign intelligence and uses her own gut instinct to construct a theory on Bin Laden's location.
With deadly consequence for being wrong, Maya's conviction escalates mission into action.
The final act of the film follows Seal Team 6 on a riveting night raid of Bin Laden's compound.
The movie's unsung hero is the dominating performance by Jason Clarke, whose character goes face to face extorting information from Al-Qaeda and Taliban connected detainees.
The film's depiction of torture is stirring controversy, just know it's a major dramatic device that doesn't necessarily represent a political statement.
Director Kathryn Bigelow stays focused on the high stakes counter terrorism. She delivers a film not as constantly intense as "The Hurt Locker," but with a wider scope and a greater impact.
On the YNN scale, “Zero Dark Thirty” earns three-and-a-half Lone Stars out of four. It's rated R and now showing.