Day Zero: DVD Review Feb 26, 2008 – By Mark Bourne, Film.com
It's a crying shame that such a worthwhile conversation-starter got turned
into this dull, forced, formulaic, and shallow exercise in obviousness.
Set in the near future where the state of global terrorism has forced the
military to reinstate the draft, Day Zero follows three young New
York City friends -- an anti-war lawyer (Chris Klein) with a politically
connected dad; a "USA! USA!" cab driver (Jon Bernthal); and a
frightened, geeky novelist (Elijah Wood) -- who have just received their
induction notices and have 30 days to report for duty.
As reporting day, or Day Zero, draws nearer, the buddies down beers together,
fight, fall out, come together, and comfort each other as each in his own way
discovers what it means to "serve with honor." Also here are
Ginnifer Goodwin as Klein's wife, Sofia Vassilieva as Bernthal's neighbor and
friend, Elisabeth Moss as his girlfriend, and Ally Sheedy as a psychiatrist.
This indie is neither pro- nor anti-war, taking no bold stance on much of
anything. Oh, it means well and its beating little heart is in the right
place, but it mistakes solemnity and dorm-room dialogue for thoughtfulness.
The actors deliver strong work even as they portray not people but clip-art
figures speaking in talk-radio sound bites. Day Zero premiered at
the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival and opened in limited release in the United
States last month. The Firstlook DVD offers no extras beyond previews for
other Firstlook films.
