ZigZag (2002)

Director:

David S. Goyer

Writers (WGA):

Landon J. Napoleon (novel)
David S. Goyer (screenplay)

Release Date:

9 July 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

An autistic 15-year-old boy steals money from his boss to provide rent for his abusive father, who uses the money to repay a loan shark.

Plot Keywords:

Beating | Abuse | Underwear | Boxer Shorts | Bed

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

John Leguizamo	...	Dean Singer
Wesley Snipes	...	Dave Fletcher
Oliver Platt	...	Mr. Walters / 'The Toad'
Natasha Lyonne	...	Jenna the Working Girl
Luke Goss	...	Cadillac Tom
Sam Jones III	...	Louis 'ZigZag' Fletcher
Sherman Augustus	...	Det. Jonathan Hawke
Michael Greyeyes	...	Dale
Jullian Dulce Vida	...	Ramon
Ivan Basso	...	Javier
Abraham Benrubi	...	Hector
Warren G. Hall	...	Wayne
Daniel Louis Rivas	...	Rico
Roberta Valderrama	...	Tawny
Eddie Perez	...	Eddie

MPAA:

Rated R for strong language and sexual content, elements of drugs and violence.

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Franchise Pictures

Goofs:

Continuity: The length of Singer's cigarette when he is in the hospital with Jenna.

Quotes:

ZigZag: The sun is full bright today. And the tires are alive because the streets are covered with little pools that explode. I like the rhythm the city makes all on its own. The sounds and the smells and different people, all crashing down together. So loud they go invisible, silent. Just floating around like ghosts.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Dialogue: An Interview with Screenwriter David Goyer (2006) (V)

A Moving, Impressive Debut

This film premiered to a packed house in Narrative Feature competition at the South By South West film festival in Austin on 3/10/2002. It was a well-crafted, touching directorial debut by a David Goyer, a writer/director whose screenwriting efforts have given him a keen sense of story.

John Leguizamo shines as a "Big Brother" to the mildly retarded/autistic 15 year old "ZigZag" Fletcher, played with uncharacteristic maturity by young Sam Jones III. Their rich and mutually supportive multi-level relationship casts Leguizamo as brother, father, protector, social worker and buddy, extending even to a hilarious semi- paternal explanation of human development. Jones captures the internal dialogues of autism with a restrained, mostly tic-free performance, yet delivers a believable teen's view of the syndrome.

Oliver Platt revels in a wonderfully rich and funny supporting role, Natasha Lyonne delivers a rich performance as a hooker with a heart and Wesley Snipes casts a dark shadow indeed as a crack-addicted abusive father. But it is Sam Jones III who is the heart and soul of the film, and ultimately why we care to see it unfold. Goyer has made an impressive film indeed, richly characterized and genuinely moving, if a bit muddled in parts. But I was willing to forgive a bit of muddle for a chance to share the difficult lives of characters about whom I grew to genuinely care .