In the near-future when the draft is reintroduced, three friends who are all drafted to fight in Iraq have 30 days to figure out what they are going to do.

CRITIQUE

Day Zero is a fairly low-budget character drama, with a storyline that is easy to relate to, as three friends in Manhattan have to decide what to do after they are drafted to fight in Iraq.  Though the result is small and slow in spots, director Bryan Gunnar Cole does a good job striking the right tone throughout, the acting is solid, and if one is in the mood, this has things to like about it.

Most of the dramatic weight here falls on actors Elijah Wood, Chris Klein and Jon Bernthal, who play buddies Aaron, George and James.  The main tension here turns out to be between George and James; James is gung-ho about going to fight for his country, while George has a wife and just made partner in his law office, and the rising conflict between them helps add a lot of drama here.

But screenwriter Rob Malkani’s story does a good job finding good moments for all three characters, as the meek Aaron’s trying to fulfill a list of ten things he wants to do in the month before they leave take him to some dark places.  George and James are also given people in their lives pulling them in both directions, and the film manages to keep its ending unpredictable, while all three actors step up well.

The result does a good job exploring the issues at play for the characters, including whether one has the moral right to responsibility for one’s country, while the tale has some obvious resonance today, given that the war is still going on and a draft is always a possibility.  The result is worth a rental.

THE VIDEO

This screener of Day Zero didn’t have much technical info on it.  The picture generally looked okay, though not great.

THE AUDIO

Day Zero is presented in English 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround.  Dialogue, music and sound effects come through clear.  There are English and Spanish subtitles.

THE EXTRAS

This screener disk had no extras on it.

FINAL THOUGHT