Zig Zag (2002)

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.

Director:

David S. Goyer

Writers:

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

Stars:

John Leguizamo, Natasha Lyonne, Wesley Snipes

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Dean Singer has terminal cancer, yet is determined to spend his last days taking care of his 15 year-old 'big brother program' protégé, Louis 'Zig Zag' Fletcher. Dean got Louis a dishwasher job in shamelessly abusive, exploiting Mr. 'The Toad' Walters' restaurant. Louis' dead-beat, neglecting yet abusive dad pushes him for 'rent' (actually to repay violent loan-shark Cadillac Tom), which the half-wit gets by - stealing from Walters' safe, remembering numbers being his only talent. Singer is determined to return the money, despite excessive risks, with surprising allies.

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Plot Keywords:

big brothers of america | prostitute | strip club | father son relationship | bed | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 July 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cikkcakk

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$2,418

Company Credits

Production Co:

Franchise Pictures, Epsilon Motion Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Second Collaboration between David S Goyer, Wesley Snipes, and Luke Goss after Blade II.

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Goofs

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

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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.

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Connections

References I Love Lucy (1951)

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Soundtracks

Lick It
Performed by Scott Abels
Courtesy of Don Dic Recordings

User Reviews

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.