Z FOR ZACHARIAH

Z for Zachariah

Grade: B

**Currently on Redbox**

Starring: Margot Robbie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Chris Pine

Premise: A love triangle forms between three survivors of a widespread radioactive disaster.

Rated PG-13 for a scene of sexuality and brief strong language

Z for Zachariah is a tasty little morsel of a movie, but it ultimately falls short of what it could have been..

I remember seeing the intriguing trailer for this movie back in the summer, and it came with the notice that it had been nominated for the Grand Jury Prize in the dramatic category at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, and then…I’m not sure what happened. I’m guessing the movie was never widely released, despite being based on a 1974 Robert C. O’Brien novel and starring three recognizable actors. In any case, it’s got an intriguing premise, is set to a gentle, lovely musical score and features three compelling performances, but it doesn’t feel like the total package. This is partly due to the very artsy flourishes from director Craig Zobel (based on a screenplay by Nissar Modi) that frustratingly limits the dialogue in places and forces the viewer to fill in the gaps.

It’s not the movie it could have been, but it’s an intriguing flick.

Plot

Busily caring for her family’s farm with no one but her dog for company, Ann Burden (Margot Robbie) has clearly survived some kind of widespread radioactive disaster, though, thankfully, this disaster didn’t ruin the natural beauty of the lush valley she lives in. There’s no one else around, though, so Ann goes about her regular routines of setting traps for game, milking the cows and collecting eggs from her chickens. Whenever she needs a break, she heads for the small wooden chapel in which her father used to preach and plays tunes on the piano.

One day, Ann sees another person, a person in a bulky anti-radiation suit of some kind who seems to have wandered into the valley almost by mistake. It turns out to be a scientist named John Loomis (Chiwetel Ejiofor), and after he is exposed to radioactive water, Ann takes him back to her house and cares for him. When he recovers, he begins helping Ann with her chores and begins pondering the possibility of creating a water wheel at a nearby waterfall to produce hydroelectricity and power the house. There’s a hint of a spark between them, too, but John seems very hesitant, as if he’s keeping a secret from her. Soon, however, another survivor of the disaster happens across the farm. Caleb (Chris Pine), a former miner, is eager to help with the creation of the water wheel and to capitalize on Ann’s hospitality and kindness. But friction develops when John senses Caleb and Ann making eyes at each other. Ann doesn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but long-repressed feelings are rising and she won’t think of sending anyone away, and yet there’s a clear battle of egos between the men, one which, in their limited circumstances, could turn violent.

What Works?

Z for Zachariah is a handsomely-filmed picture and, as mentioned, has a quietly-beautiful musical score, but its appeal is unquestionably wrapped up in the performances of its only three actors, all of whom should at least look familiar to audiences. The Australian-born Margot Robbie got her big breakthrough with 2013’s Oscar-nominated Wolf of Wall Street and her star will rise even higher after she plays Harley Quinn in next year’s Suicide Squad. Chiwetel Ejiofor has been around for a while, but he got his big break as the lead in 2013’s Best Picture Oscar Winner 12 Years A Slave and got wider exposure in the currently-in-theaters blockbuster The Martian. Chris Pine is probably the easiest to recognize after his two go-rounds as Captain Kirk in the new Star Trek films. Though they have fairly limited dialogue and some of Pine’s dialogue is unintelligible because of his country-boy accent, they’re all effective. Robbie comes off the best, playing down her naturally-striking looks and believably playing a sweet, naïve southern belle you just want to hug.

What Doesn’t Work?

As stated, despite an undeniably intriguing premise, Z for Zachariah is more artsy and ambiguous than it needs to be, what with limiting the dialogue and the running time and leaving the audience guessing. While the movie avoids soap-opera dramatics and Twilight-style moodiness, the actors and set-up are good enough that you wish they were given more to do. Though I guess I should give the filmmakers props for not getting "too Hollywood" with the ending of a film that did its best to avoid clichés and obvious plot contrivances.

Content

Z for Zachariah isn’t a post-apocalyptic zombie movie or alien movie, so there’s no action, but there are a few tense moments when one character gets drunk and unpredictable, and there is a heated but un-graphic sex scene.  

Bottom Line

Z for Zachariah is a good movie that could have been better. It’s got a very intriguing premise, some great visuals, and effective performances by Margot Robbie, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Chris Pine, but it’s a little short on dialogue and entertainment value.

Z for Zachariah (2015)

Directed by Craig Zobel

Screenplay by Nissar Modi

Based on the novel by Robert C. O’Brien

Rated PG-13

Length: 98 minutes