05 Jan

Zero Dark Thirty

Lissa Coffey

Lissa Coffey

Lissa Coffey

Grade: B+

Zero Dark Thirty is a powerful movie based on the true story  of the events that led up to the ultimate killing of Osama Bin Laden.  Jessica Chastain stars as Maya.  When we first meet Maya she’s a young CIA operative learning the ropes.  Throughout the film she becomes more and more committed to her mission, which becomes her whole life.  We don’t know if there really was a Maya, but the woman portrayed in the film was intelligent, fierce and completely dedicated to her job despite the environmental conditions and politics involved.

Yes, this is a war movie – and there are some graphic torture scenes, and obviously some violence.  So it’s not a movie for the faint of heart.  But the violence is not the basis of the movie – it’s the mystery, the puzzle that Maya works so hard to put together that makes this such a great film.

Jessica Chastain is compelling in this role, and I would expect her to get an award nomination for her performance in the Lead Actress category.

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