ZigZag

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ZigZag

R

Released Jun 21, 2002

1h 41m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

44%

Tomatometer

16 Reviews

45%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Louis "ZigZag" Singer (Sam Jones III) is an autistic teen from a broken home, living with his violent father, Dave (Wesley Snipes). After ZigZag steals $9,000 from his callous boss, Mr. Walters (Oliver Platt), in order to pay rent to his father, Dave coldly keeps the entire amount. Dean Singer (John Leguizamo), ZigZag's older sibling, knows about the theft and tries to find enough money to replace the amount before Mr. Walters realizes it's gone and comes after ZigZag.

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Critics Consensus

Fine performances elevate the movie above the cliches.

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Andrew Sarris

Observer

Mr. Goyer's loose, unaccountable direction is technically sophisticated in the worst way.

Jun 27, 2002

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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.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 21, 2002

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Frank Scheck

The Hollywood Reporter

Goyer's screenplay and direction are thankfully understated, and he has drawn excellent performances from his cast.

Jun 21, 2002

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Film Threat

Rated: 4/5

Dec 6, 2005

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Aug 21, 2005

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...the film suffers from an overly meandering pace and a central character that's just not all that interesting.

Rated: 2/4

Jul 25, 2003

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Audience Member

I really loved this movie (thanks for suggesting it, Ricky). I thought it was James Franco but the name was different... All these years I when I saw John Leguizamo I thought it was always James Franco. lol

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This drama about a poor autistic kid with an abusive dad is decent, but it has a tendency to drag at times. The kid playing the autistic Zigzag is pretty good, the supporting cast is hit and miss. Goyer's directorial debut proves him competent but not exceptional, I think he is a better screenwriter.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Audience Member

Pretty cool how it was filmed at Del Rae restaurant.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

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Audience Member

(***): [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] Interesting and with a good cast.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

When Wesley Snipes first appears, you wonder, if there is going to be some tight action, or fight scenes that will be worth your while. However, you keep watching and then realize, Goyer must be related to an IRS agent. The lead character has been given little to no direction. There are facial ticks and speaking tendencies that appear and disappear, as if Goyer could't make up his mind how badly disabled the character should be. Leguizamo is totally impotent as the cancer ridden "big" that has the incredibly stupid idea of borrowing from a strip club loan shark to pay back money that his "little" stole, but no one knows he stole it, so, huh? The best part of the movie is when 'Zig Zag" tells his 'big' that he peed on his couch, but it was unlike any pee he did before. Brilliant. Thanks Goyer. Bloody horrible.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

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Audience Member

I saw the edited version on BETJ

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

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David S. Goyer

Director

Sam Jones III

ZigZag

John Leguizamo

Singer

Oliver Platt

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Natasha Lyonne

Jenna

Wesley Snipes

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Synopsis

Louis "ZigZag" Singer (Sam Jones III) is an autistic teen from a broken home, living with his violent father, Dave (Wesley Snipes). After ZigZag steals $9,000 from his callous boss, Mr. Walters (Oliver Platt), in order to pay rent to his father, Dave coldly keeps the entire amount. Dean Singer (John Leguizamo), ZigZag's older sibling, knows about the theft and tries to find enough money to replace the amount before Mr. Walters realizes it's gone and comes after ZigZag.

Director: David S. Goyer
Producer: Elie Samaha, Andrew Stevens
Screenwriter: Landon J. Napoleon, David S. Goyer
Production Co: Franchise Pictures, Epsilon Motion Pictures
Rating: R (Strong Language|Elements of Drugs|Sexual Content|Elements of Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 21, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 10, 2017
Runtime: 1h 41m
Sound Mix: Surround

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