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)

And the oscar goes to....SAM JONES III!!!

ZIGZAG is the story of an autistic 15-year-old boy named ZigZag, spelled with two big Z's and two little G's (Sam Jones III) who steals money from his boss (Oliver Platt) to provide rent for his abusive father (Wesley Snipes), who uses the money to repay a loan shark (Luke Goss). Writer David S. Goyer most known for his dark superhero films, such as BLADE and THE CROW:CITY OF ANGELS, succeeds with this little drama which in a way is also about a superhero, only this superhero is a 15 year old autistic child. Young actor Sam Jones III absolutely made me fall in love with ZigZag. And that's something I don't say lightly and something I don't ever remember happening in recent years. I mean Sam Jones' performance in this film blows away anything Russell Crowe did in the much-acclaimed BEAUITIFUL MIND and is a far better performance than what Crowe won for (GLADIATOR). Jones' performance is flawless. While I know he won't even be considered come Oscar time he should be the winner. Watch out for this kid. He can truly act. I think he's on SMALLVILLE now but I'm not real sure because I never watch the show. John Leguizamo (MOULIN ROUGE; COLLATERAL DAMAGE), who usually comes off rather annoying to me, also shines as Singer, the big brother character of ZigZag.. The chemistry between Leguizamo and Jones is brilliant and lights up the screen. The other performances make stnd out as well. Oliver Platt (THE THREE MUSKETEERS; LIBERTY STANDS STILL) revels in a wonderfully rich and funny supporting role. Natasha Lyonne (AMERICAN PIE 1 and 2) delivers a rich performance as a hooker with a heart and Wesley Snipes (LIBERTY STANDS STILL; BLADE) casts is beleivable as a crack-addicted abusive father. You can tell that Snipes has either been around that sort of thing or has experienced it for himself. He knows how to act and what he's doing. But when it's all said and done, its Sam Jones III who is the heart and soul of the film, and ultimately why we care to see it unfold.