This film premiered to a packed house in Narrative Feature competition at the South By South West film festival in Austin on 3/10/2002. It was a well-crafted, touching directorial debut by a David Goyer, a writer/director whose screenwriting efforts have given him a keen sense of story.
John Leguizamo shines as a "Big Brother" to the mildly retarded/autistic 15 year old "ZigZag" Fletcher, played with uncharacteristic maturity by young Sam Jones III. Their rich and mutually supportive multi-level relationship casts Leguizamo as brother, father, protector, social worker and buddy, extending even to a hilarious semi- paternal explanation of human development. Jones captures the internal dialogues of autism with a restrained, mostly tic-free performance, yet delivers a believable teen's view of the syndrome.
Oliver Platt revels in a wonderfully rich and funny supporting role, Natasha Lyonne delivers a rich performance as a hooker with a heart and Wesley Snipes casts a dark shadow indeed as a crack-addicted abusive father. But it is Sam Jones III who is the heart and soul of the film, and ultimately why we care to see it unfold. Goyer has made an impressive film indeed, richly characterized and genuinely moving, if a bit muddled in parts. But I was willing to forgive a bit of muddle for a chance to share the difficult lives of characters about whom I grew to genuinely care .
