Day Zero (2007)

20% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
45% of users liked it
(2,928 ratings)

Three men come face to face with their concerns about war when they're drafted in this independent drama set in the near future. As the United States becomes more deeply mired in wars around the world and the threat of major terrorist attacks looms large, the federal government decides to reinstate… More Three men come face to face with their concerns about war when they're drafted in this independent drama set in the near future. As the United States becomes more deeply mired in wars around the world and the threat of major terrorist attacks looms large, the federal government decides to reinstate conscription, and three friends face conflicting emotions as they wait out their last few days before entering the Army under the new draft. George Rifkin (Chris Klein) is a lawyer who has been helping his wife, Molly (Ginnifer Goodwin), get through her recent cancer treatment; he would prefer to stay home with her as she recovers, but despite his legal know-how he can't find a loophole out of his current dilemma. Aaron Feller (Elijah Wood) is a slight and sensitive writer who doesn't feel physically or emotionally prepared to serve in the military, despite his sense of moral obligation, and he turns to a therapist, Dr. Reynolds (Ally Sheedy), to help him cope. And James Dixon (Jon Bernthal) is a cabbie who feels reasonably strong and confident about his future as a soldier until he meets Patricia (Elizabeth Moss), a college student who challenges his beliefs and assumptions about the war and each man's place in it. Day Zero was the first feature film from veteran editor Bryan Gunnar Cole, and received its world premiere at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Bryan Gunnar Cole
Written By: Rob Malkani
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Apr 29, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Feb 26, 2008
Studio: First Look Studios

Critic Reviews

Rex Reed, New York Observer
For a hot-button issue movie with a lot of potential for character development, it's slower than Christmas and disappointingly sluggish.
Kyle Smith, New York Post
Proves that even the most controversial of topics can be the basis for the dullest indie films.
Jack Mathews, New York Daily News
Truth to be told, it's hard to care.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
If the abysmal reception so far for films about the war in Iraq is any indication, Day Zero is the last thing movie audiences will want to consume.
Gregory Kirschling, Entertainment Weekly
As the pals, Elijah Wood, Jon Bernthal, and especially Chris Klein mope around noncommittally, as if it were an upcoming trip to the in-laws' they were dreading -- not a potentially one-way ticket to a war zone.
John Anderson, Newsday
There's very little that rings true.
Austin Kennedy, Sin Magazine
It's not a groundbreaking film, but I liked the gritty feel of it. It's a small, little movie that manages to be thought provoking enough for me to recommend it.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...an engaging little drama that benefits from the stellar performances of its various actors.
Norm Schrager, Filmcritic.com
no one will mistake this earnest try for Medium Cool. Maybe just Smallish Cool.
Annlee Ellingson, Boxoffice Magazine
Through portraits of these three men, [director] Cole uses the possibility to explore themes of loyalty and duty, masculinity, class conflicts and a youth culture gone soft and spoiled, at times slipping into political rhetoric.
Katey Rich, Film Journal International
Presents characters as concepts rather than actual people, and deals much more with the theoretical consequences of war rather than the actual human toll.
Brett McCracken, Christianity Today
A film that revels in defeatism and hyperbolized dystopia; a would-be political statement that is more insipid than insightful.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The film's relentless focus on the personal shortchanges the larger issues and ultimately reduces Fellner, Rifkin and Dixon to sociopolitical stereotypes.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A flat and poorly written drama about three buddies who are drafted and have 30 days to report.
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine
Proves that Hollywood doesn't have a monopoly on ponderous, ersatz-thoughtful war dramas.
Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve
An implausible story centering on three characters whose differences in social class and temperament make the proceedings less than involving.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The semi-plausible Day Zero, a rather formulaic male buddy saga, asks hypothetical questions about the impact of a reinstated draft on three vastly different amigos, well played by Klein, Wood, and particularly Bernthal.
Brian Orndorf, DVDTalk.com
It's purely amateur hour here; a laughably produced elegy for the common man facing war time blues, placing substantial dramatic weight on the shoulders of one of Hollywood's larger professional question marks, Chris Klein. Ouch.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

This movie was really, really good, in my opinion. I was enthralled for the entire 2 hrs. I was amazed at how it all ended, also. Nice twist. This movie was well done, and well acted. An absolute gem, in my book.
Bruce B

This movie didn't impress me much, about the US Government starting the draft after 9-11 and gulf war. 3 Buddies get there draft notice and we travel thru time as the Days count down. We have the rich one, the cool guy, and the loser. Shows things they go through in the 30 day… More
This movie didn't impress me much, about the US Government starting the draft after 9-11 and gulf war. 3 Buddies get there draft notice and we travel thru time as the Days count down. We have the rich one, the cool guy, and the loser. Shows things they go through in the 30 day count down. Charlene Biton is a babe. It was pretty dry. Not sure how it got on my to see list. 2 1/2 stars, wouldn't watch it again, and it would have to be a rental.