ZigZag (2002)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

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:

Boxer Shorts | Father Figure | Medical Examination | Abuse | Bed Scene

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
Elizabeth Peña	...	Ms. Tate
Stephanie Chao	...	Jordan
Miguel A. Núñez Jr.	...	Bentley
Mary Randle	...	Diane
Lynette DuPree	...	Hooker (as Lynette Du Pre)
Kathleen Gati	...	Doctor
Patton Oswalt	...	Shelly
Romy Rosemont	...	Sara
Ernest Hardin Jr.	...	Nurse
Valarie Ianniello	...	Dancer #1
Regina Russell	...	Dancer #2
Diana Terranova	...	Dancer #3
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Hawk Younkins	...	Marcus (uncredited)

Directed by
David S. Goyer

Writing credits (WGA)
Landon J. Napoleon		(novel)
David S. Goyer		(screenplay) (as David Goyer)

Produced by
Al Hayes	....	executive producer
James A. Holt	....	co-producer
Elie Samaha	....	producer
Alison Semenza	....	co-producer
Tracee Stanley	....	executive producer
Andrew Stevens	....	producer

Original Music by
Grant Lee Phillips

Cinematography by
James L. Carter

Film Editing by
Conrad Smart

Casting by
Richard Hicks
Ronnie Yeskel

Production Design by
Philip Toolin

Set Decoration by
Regina O'Brien

Costume Design by
Susan L. Bertram

Makeup Department
Clifford Booker	....	hair stylist: Wesley Snipes
JoJo Myers Proud	....	makeup department head
Toni Riki	....	assistant makeup artist

Production Management
Maureen Norton	....	post-production supervisor

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Richard L. Fox	....	first assistant director
Jeff Jenofsky	....	second second assistant director
Benjamin Schneider	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Jeffery Goyer	....	construction coordinator
Sean Lyons	....	painter
Tim Woodruff	....	lead man

Sound Department
Stuart C. Bailey	....	foley mixer
Felipe Borrero	....	production sound mixer
Patrick Giraudi	....	sound re-recording mixer
Kevin Hamilton	....	dialogue editor
Kevin Hamilton	....	sound editor
Kevin Hamilton	....	supervising adr editor
Scott C. Kolden	....	supervising sound editor
Marcus Ricaud	....	sound utility
Kelly Vandever	....	sound re-recording mixer
Brian Wittle	....	boom operator

Visual Effects by
D. Walt Cameron	....	visual effects supervisor

Stunts
Greg Anthony	....	stunt double
Keith Davis	....	stunts
Eddie Perez	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Anthony Bertola	....	grip
Jeremy Brussell	....	best boy grip
Steve Charnow	....	lighting technician
Kyle Drevlo	....	grip
Warren Feldman	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera
Steve Hurson	....	first assistant camera
Martin J. Layton	....	camera operator
Bob Myers	....	grip
Tony Thomas	....	dolly grip
Rick Tucker	....	key grip
Tracy Tucker	....	grip

Casting Department
Peter Alwazzan	....	extras casting
Mark Scott	....	casting associate

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Senna Shanti	....	costumer

Editorial Department
Joel T. Pashby	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Herman Beeftink	....	composer: ranchera songs
Georgiana Ramsland	....	music editor
David Shephard	....	music producer: Mariachi Songs

Transportation Department
Corey Askins	....	transportation coordinator

Other crew
Lori Davis	....	assistant: Mr. Snipes
Jeff Fuller	....	key set production assistant
Lori Grabowski	....	script supervisor
Ellen Rosentreter	....	set production assistant
Brendan Ryan	....	production assistant
Benjamin Sacks	....	production coordinator
Tina Tholke	....	assistant production coordinator
Ian Watermeier	....	finance coordinator

Thanks
Albert P. Santos	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Franchise Pictures
• Epsilon Motion Pictures

Distributors

• PlazaVista Entertainment (2004) (Switzerland) (DVD) (as Medaria Home Entertainment)
• Silver Nitrate Films (2002) (USA)
• Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (2002) (USA) (DVD)
• Universum Film (UFA) (2004) (Germany) (DVD)

Other Companies

• Ideal Post Sound  sound post-production

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)

An enjoyable first effort

This is based on a book of the same name that is the first directorial effort of one of my personal favorites, David Goyer, the screenwriter of Dark City, Blade, and Blade II. The story of an autistic boy and those that are part of his life, it definitely isn't of the usual material he works with, but it still has his touch and was really enjoyable for a small drama. I hope he manages to get distribution for a wide release with this one, but there's no telling where that'll end up. We saw it as a premiere at SXSW 2002 in front of a general audience and it got a great response from the crowd for both the dramatic elements and the moments of humor. Also, again I noticed that Goyer was sitting across the aisle from us in the theater and looked like he really got a boost from the audience response. He deserved it. The acting was as good as his writing and John Leguizamo, Wesley Snipes, Sam Jones III, and Oliver Platt played their parts to perfection.