Zigzag (2001)
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44% of critics liked it
(16 reviews) -
49% of users liked it
(982 ratings)
Zigzag is the directorial debut of screenwriter David S. Goyer (Blade, Blade 2). Based on the well-received debut novel by Landon J. Napoleon, the film tells the story of an autistic teenager, Louis "Zigzag" Fletcher (Sam Jones III). Zigzag is a sensitive and thoughtful boy who retreats… More Zigzag is the directorial debut of screenwriter David S. Goyer (Blade, Blade 2). Based on the well-received debut novel by Landon J. Napoleon, the film tells the story of an autistic teenager, Louis "Zigzag" Fletcher (Sam Jones III). Zigzag is a sensitive and thoughtful boy who retreats into his own mind to escape the harshness of his inner-city life, particularly the abuse of his father (Wesley Snipes). His only friend is Singer (John Leguizamo), his compassionate Big Brother, who gives Louis his nickname, and tells the boy he's imbued with special powers. He's trying to get Zigzag removed from his father's home, and also to teach him to survive. Singer has testicular cancer, and is concerned that he won't always be around when the boy needs him. Zigzag works as a dishwasher in a restaurant owned by the Toad (Oliver Platt), an amusingly caustic Southerner. After Zigzag's father demands 200 dollars for rent, the boy sees Toad opening his office safe, and commits the combination to memory. Later, he takes 9,000 dollars from the safe. When he attempts to give his father the rent, his father takes all the money. When Singer finds out what Zigzag has done, he goes to desperate lengths to get the money back, so he can return it to Toad before Zigzag gets into trouble. As Singer's plan goes awry, this brings the pair into contact with a sleazy loan shark (Luke Goss, who was also in Blade 2) and a kindhearted prostitute (Natasha Lyonne). The film's soundtrack was composed by Grant Lee Phillips. Zigzag was shown at the 2002 SXSW Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi
- Directed By
- David S. Goyer
- Written By
- David S. Goyer
- Genres
- Drama
R,
- In Theaters
- Jul 9, 2002 Wide
- Studio
- Silver Nitrate Films
Critic Reviews
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Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
Mr. Goyer's loose, unaccountable direction is technically sophisticated in the worst way.
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Gene Seymour, Newsday
The movie, despite its rough edges and a tendency to sag in certain places, is wry and engrossing.
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Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
A small movie with a big impact.
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Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
Goyer's screenplay and direction are thankfully understated, and he has drawn excellent performances from his cast.
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Megan Turner, New York Post
The character of ZigZag is not sufficiently developed to support a film constructed around him.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Sam Jones III
as Louis "ZigZag" Fletcher
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John Leguizamo
as Dean Singer
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Oliver Platt
as Toad
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Natasha Lyonne
as Jenna
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Wesley Snipes
as Fletcher
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Sherman Augustus
as Detective Hawk
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Luke Goss
as Cadillac Tom
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Michael Greyeyes
as Dale
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Elizabeth Peña
as Teacher
