Zero Dark Thirty

Zero Dark Thirty
It is not hard to understand why this early 2013 release has been nominated for best film at the Academy Awards this year, nor why it has been nominated in several categories at nearly all of the most prestigious movie award ceremonies that have happened recently.

The story of one woman's dedication to the mission of finding and defeating al-Qaida terrorist leader Osama bin Laden features the acting of Jessica Chastain.  Chastain's character, Maya, is a CIA agent who we follow on a near-decade-long journey to crack down on al-Qaida.  Her role is one that audiences have rarely seen thus-far in movie history: a strong, independent woman in a position in a federal agency, working to make history and gain justice.  Maya, like any other character in her position, whether male or female, faces a great deal of struggle to do what she feels is right, and Chastain does a phenomenal job of making Maya and her hardships seem utterly real.

What makes this film different from others that deal with war in the Middle East is how it is told.  The decision was made to have the film formatted in what felt like chapters.  With the beginning of each chapter, we are given a title that eloquently foreshadows what is to come.  It was a brave choice to make in terms of story telling, and I would also call it a successful one.

This film, though not lighthearted in any way, felt like a privilege to watch.  It featured amazing cinematography, acting, and writing.  If you enjoyed seeing Argo, this is a great piece to compare it to.            

Thank you for reading!