Zero Dark Thirty

Zero Dark Thirty is yet another film that makes history exciting. It's an even bigger challenge than what Argo and Lincoln did because this is really recent history on-screen.

Maya (Jessica Chastain) is a CIA agent who wants one thing: Osama bin Laden dead and gone. In her line of work, she has no time for anything else. She starts off by torturing terror suspects. Once she works up the ranks, she participates full-time in surveillance operations. She gets a lead on bin Laden's location, but only she is positive they'll find him there.

Of course, as history proves, she was very much right.

Having won Oscars for The Hurt Locker, director Kathryn Bigelow and writer Mark Boal assemble again for their latest political thriller.

It's not a film for those with high blood pressure. The film's editors William Goldenberg and Dylan Tichenor keep the audience on edge as the characters, both civilian and government, face death. Sound editor Paul N. J. Ottosson provides the payoffs by following easy silence with forceful sound-effects.

It's enough to make one cover their ears at all times.

As Maya, Jessica Chastain's performance helps keep the film going. Her character maybe one-track minded, but she's also doubtful of herself. By the end of the film, when her duty's done, we're wondering what she'll do with her life. Meanwhile, Harold Perrineau, Jason Clarke and Jennifer Ehle stand out as a few of Maya's closest confidants.

Some have condemned the film as pro-torture propaganda. But it really depicts torture as anything but attractive. It's a point that it hits home by stretching the few torture scenes on and on.

While it maybe pushing three hours, Zero Dark Thirty breezes through those hours with some ease. It did feel long at some times, but the climactic raid was a worthy payoff. It's certainly a film that earned its place amongst last week's Oscar nominations.