33 reviews
- TomSawyer-2112
- May 21, 2018
- Permalink
Not much of a thriller if you ask me. Maybe for the Americans it is but for a Belgian like me it isn't. And by that I mean that here in Belgium we could not care less what a politician does in his private life. If he cheats on his wife then that's his problem and certainly not ours. As long as he does his job like he should it's not of our concern. And that's the big difference between puritan America that loves their so called scandals and Europe where privacy still means something. So to me the movie was just kind of boring. Not bad though, just average, nothing to be thrilled about. And that's just about the story because the actors were good, nothing bad to say about them. It's just the story that lacks of action and entertainment. Well that's my opinion about it. American reviewers will probably not think the same because they are used of the whole brainwashing circus that is going on with their elections and political campaigns. And that's a pity.
- deloudelouvain
- Jan 8, 2016
- Permalink
I only watched this because I think Patrick Wilson is an appealing lead. There is something so All-American about him, yet he plays characters faced with potentially compromising situations.
First off, some reviewer from Belgium who hates America (big surprise there)said, "Who cares what politicians do in their personal lives?" Sorry pal, but this guy did not have an affair. He was using prostitutes. That's against the law and he works in the U.S. Attorney's office. Do you understand? The dialog here is excellent. I never expected that in what I thought would be a routine infidelity drama. There is a great speech when the main guy is talking to some college students and he explains that you cannot be anything you want, despite that clichéd speech staple. You can only be what you have the aptitude for.
There is another moment of dialog where an FBI agent speaks about guys who cheat on their wives. Nice job. Writing rarely gets enough credit. In this case, the Writer was also the Director and a woman.
This picture is set in the South, yet we never hear which state and the main guy is the only one with a strong accent. That was awkward. I'll assume it was Baton Rouge.
The acting was outstanding. I have never seen Wilson show that kind of range. The wife character was perfectly cast. She looked like someone who may have been attractive years ago, but was well past her prime.
What I got from this story was that men never stop craving young women. Once their wives go past 36, the men start craving younger options. It's just the way things are in a world where we live to such old ages.
The sex scenes were more tastefully done than I have ever seen in any such film.
Like some other reviewer mentioned, there was a key scene where our protagonist shows his humanity, but still can't stop his need to indulge his addiction. Nicely done. The girl involved flashed a brief and subtle look of disappointment that spoke a thousand words.
The picture is a tad slow. That was my only complaint. I gave it a 6 because the plot is not original and the pacing dragged. But it's worth watching for sure.
First off, some reviewer from Belgium who hates America (big surprise there)said, "Who cares what politicians do in their personal lives?" Sorry pal, but this guy did not have an affair. He was using prostitutes. That's against the law and he works in the U.S. Attorney's office. Do you understand? The dialog here is excellent. I never expected that in what I thought would be a routine infidelity drama. There is a great speech when the main guy is talking to some college students and he explains that you cannot be anything you want, despite that clichéd speech staple. You can only be what you have the aptitude for.
There is another moment of dialog where an FBI agent speaks about guys who cheat on their wives. Nice job. Writing rarely gets enough credit. In this case, the Writer was also the Director and a woman.
This picture is set in the South, yet we never hear which state and the main guy is the only one with a strong accent. That was awkward. I'll assume it was Baton Rouge.
The acting was outstanding. I have never seen Wilson show that kind of range. The wife character was perfectly cast. She looked like someone who may have been attractive years ago, but was well past her prime.
What I got from this story was that men never stop craving young women. Once their wives go past 36, the men start craving younger options. It's just the way things are in a world where we live to such old ages.
The sex scenes were more tastefully done than I have ever seen in any such film.
Like some other reviewer mentioned, there was a key scene where our protagonist shows his humanity, but still can't stop his need to indulge his addiction. Nicely done. The girl involved flashed a brief and subtle look of disappointment that spoke a thousand words.
The picture is a tad slow. That was my only complaint. I gave it a 6 because the plot is not original and the pacing dragged. But it's worth watching for sure.
I had this movie sitting in my drive for awhile. I knew about the premise (i.e. some hot shot lawyer who cheats repeatedly on his wife) and I wasn't interest.
Well...after seeing it, this is overall a good movie because of the strong performances and some semi-provocative little twists near the end that, although predictable, they show some hard truths about the values of the world we are living and how easy is to disavow our values for things that are in the end meaningless.
Despite the numerous sexual encounters of the main character the film is not erotic or sensual but focuses into his fear and his inner struggle with his newly developed passion that might cost him everything, his job, his family.
But the world we are living ...it is what it is, and in the end, everyone will play the role that he or she supposed to play...
Overall: Check it out.
Well...after seeing it, this is overall a good movie because of the strong performances and some semi-provocative little twists near the end that, although predictable, they show some hard truths about the values of the world we are living and how easy is to disavow our values for things that are in the end meaningless.
Despite the numerous sexual encounters of the main character the film is not erotic or sensual but focuses into his fear and his inner struggle with his newly developed passion that might cost him everything, his job, his family.
But the world we are living ...it is what it is, and in the end, everyone will play the role that he or she supposed to play...
Overall: Check it out.
The best part of this ¨true tv¨ style (or is it Lifetime TV?) production is its dark, film noiresque twist. Everyone is corrupt and succumbs... An interesting take on the more general phenomenon of addiction.
- skepticskeptical
- Jul 28, 2018
- Permalink
It's a funny title for a serious film. I have heard the film was loosely based on a real scandal. This is the story of a federal prosecutor whose life has been decent until he becomes addicted to the escort service. As his wife is pushing him for entering the politics, on the other side, he's unable to come out of his new habit. The time comes when both these things can't go together, he has to pick the side and that brings the end to the tale.
Really an interesting story aspect, but slightly I was not happy with how it was presented on the screen. Though the characters were excellent and the perfect executions by its actors. Patrick Wilson was good, even in a small screenspace Lena Headey excelled. The other characters influenced quite strongly in the film. Like their intentions over the film events which played a major twist in the storytelling. The people can go any length to achieve the bigger thing is the one of the main messages of the film.
The theme was strong, but there were some weaker spots in the narrations. Although, an acceptable and enjoyable film. The end was totally unexpected, but unbelievably not that smart from the character's perspective. Surely an average film, but definitely not a bad or an awesome film. Its about the scandal of a high profile figure or at least trying to be, though everything were told from a single angle. So I hope you watch it and give an honest opinion than going against it from even before the start just because everybody already doing that.
6/10
Really an interesting story aspect, but slightly I was not happy with how it was presented on the screen. Though the characters were excellent and the perfect executions by its actors. Patrick Wilson was good, even in a small screenspace Lena Headey excelled. The other characters influenced quite strongly in the film. Like their intentions over the film events which played a major twist in the storytelling. The people can go any length to achieve the bigger thing is the one of the main messages of the film.
The theme was strong, but there were some weaker spots in the narrations. Although, an acceptable and enjoyable film. The end was totally unexpected, but unbelievably not that smart from the character's perspective. Surely an average film, but definitely not a bad or an awesome film. Its about the scandal of a high profile figure or at least trying to be, though everything were told from a single angle. So I hope you watch it and give an honest opinion than going against it from even before the start just because everybody already doing that.
6/10
- Reno-Rangan
- Feb 3, 2017
- Permalink
Have a hankering for those 1990s sex thrillers involving powerful people drawn into sordid, beautifully-lit clinches that threaten to tear apart their career and their family? Welcome to Reckless, which has been blandly renamed from "Zipper" in the US.
This straight-to-DVD thriller – partly based on the exploits of governor Eliot Spitzer in 2008 – has an intriguing setup which grows increasingly tiresome as the story wears on. Patrick Wilson, who has the greatest fake smile in the business, plays ambitious state prosecutor Sam, and he has his eyes on congress. Unfortunately he also has his eyes on the ladies, and he's willing to risk his marriage to the suspecting Jeannie (Lena Headey) in order to get his end away with a series of escort girls.
Meanwhile George (Richard Dreyfuss) is grooming him for life at the top (and life under the microscope), while a wily journalist (Ray Winstone) rifles through his private life. The drama lies in Sam's face as all these pressures – which exist in a highly competitive and masculine world – bear down upon him.
Boo hoo, you might say, and you'd kind of be right. While Wilson is talented and nuanced enough to help us relate to this reprehensible talisman of white male privilege, the film itself seems unsure of where its sympathies lie, or indeed what the story is really about. Ostensibly it's interested in the fallout of adultery and the radiation of guilt, but it never goes deep and it's strangely boring.
The meaning of fidelity in the modern world has been intelligently explored in some great movies, from Eyes Wide Shut to Gone Girl, but Reckless comes across as mimicry, resembling its peers only in the most superficial ways.
The neorealist aesthetic, with its ridiculous saturated colouration, resembles David Fincher or Steven Soderbergh, but the dramatic content only matches the latter at his most indulgent. The serial killer score adds to the tabloid self-importance of it all. The problem with this sub-genre is so often that it suffers from a lack of awareness of its own absurdity.
More than once we get a risible speech suggesting that really all human beings are like this, deep down, and that the only difference is that those in the public eye are unfairly held to a higher standard. Never do we get the counterargument: that Sam and his ilk behave this way out of some other impotence, or that their lust for power and sex are two sides of the same character trait.
Wilson carries the film, and he's supported by a very fine cast. Headey is solid in the role of Sam's formidable wife, while a miscast Winstone makes the most of a slightly thankless supporting role. Then there's Dreyfuss, who appears to be acting in a movie far smarter than the one we're actually watching. Also, John Cho needs to be in more films.
But none of the cast can elevate such hackneyed material. Shoot it however stylishly you want – there's no escaping the clichés of punched steering wheels, illicit phone calls watched from windows, and dead-eyed faces sinking in baths. It's a film to be found when flicking channels, and one to be forgotten within seconds of flicking again.
This straight-to-DVD thriller – partly based on the exploits of governor Eliot Spitzer in 2008 – has an intriguing setup which grows increasingly tiresome as the story wears on. Patrick Wilson, who has the greatest fake smile in the business, plays ambitious state prosecutor Sam, and he has his eyes on congress. Unfortunately he also has his eyes on the ladies, and he's willing to risk his marriage to the suspecting Jeannie (Lena Headey) in order to get his end away with a series of escort girls.
Meanwhile George (Richard Dreyfuss) is grooming him for life at the top (and life under the microscope), while a wily journalist (Ray Winstone) rifles through his private life. The drama lies in Sam's face as all these pressures – which exist in a highly competitive and masculine world – bear down upon him.
Boo hoo, you might say, and you'd kind of be right. While Wilson is talented and nuanced enough to help us relate to this reprehensible talisman of white male privilege, the film itself seems unsure of where its sympathies lie, or indeed what the story is really about. Ostensibly it's interested in the fallout of adultery and the radiation of guilt, but it never goes deep and it's strangely boring.
The meaning of fidelity in the modern world has been intelligently explored in some great movies, from Eyes Wide Shut to Gone Girl, but Reckless comes across as mimicry, resembling its peers only in the most superficial ways.
The neorealist aesthetic, with its ridiculous saturated colouration, resembles David Fincher or Steven Soderbergh, but the dramatic content only matches the latter at his most indulgent. The serial killer score adds to the tabloid self-importance of it all. The problem with this sub-genre is so often that it suffers from a lack of awareness of its own absurdity.
More than once we get a risible speech suggesting that really all human beings are like this, deep down, and that the only difference is that those in the public eye are unfairly held to a higher standard. Never do we get the counterargument: that Sam and his ilk behave this way out of some other impotence, or that their lust for power and sex are two sides of the same character trait.
Wilson carries the film, and he's supported by a very fine cast. Headey is solid in the role of Sam's formidable wife, while a miscast Winstone makes the most of a slightly thankless supporting role. Then there's Dreyfuss, who appears to be acting in a movie far smarter than the one we're actually watching. Also, John Cho needs to be in more films.
But none of the cast can elevate such hackneyed material. Shoot it however stylishly you want – there's no escaping the clichés of punched steering wheels, illicit phone calls watched from windows, and dead-eyed faces sinking in baths. It's a film to be found when flicking channels, and one to be forgotten within seconds of flicking again.
"Zipper" made me think a little about "House of Cards", despite having seen just a few episodes from the first season. Its political theme, unmeasurable ambition and unscrupulous individuals. On those parameters, "Zipper" succeeds on presenting complex and divided characters, whose ultimate goal is a seat in power.
Patrick Wilson and Lena Headey both stood out. I'd never seen one of his films fully and I was kind of surprised with his acting and commitment to the role. After seeing Headey on "GoT" I wasn't surprised with her acting, because, at some extent, in this one she plays a modern version of Cersei Lannister - the cheating husband, the obsessive care and protection for her children (its all there). They both are great on their respective roles, portraying a troubled couple, which has been married for a long time and in which routine is deeply established. They have the chemistry and the acting chops.
Aside from the main actors, we have Ray Winstone and Richard Dreyfuss with particular small roles but roles which give the movie more credibility. The feminine cast is a committed one, not afraid of touching the level of soft-core porn on some scenes.
In what concerns directing, I must say I liked the overall look of the movie, very sober and clean, but above all, real. The script is well- written, with well-developed characters. The ending,in general, is somewhat predictable but the last scene, well, the last scene, simply wasn't and reveals the intelligence of the filmmaker.
Why take the risk?
"Zipper" is a good movie to watch, pretty good performances and well- directed.
Patrick Wilson and Lena Headey both stood out. I'd never seen one of his films fully and I was kind of surprised with his acting and commitment to the role. After seeing Headey on "GoT" I wasn't surprised with her acting, because, at some extent, in this one she plays a modern version of Cersei Lannister - the cheating husband, the obsessive care and protection for her children (its all there). They both are great on their respective roles, portraying a troubled couple, which has been married for a long time and in which routine is deeply established. They have the chemistry and the acting chops.
Aside from the main actors, we have Ray Winstone and Richard Dreyfuss with particular small roles but roles which give the movie more credibility. The feminine cast is a committed one, not afraid of touching the level of soft-core porn on some scenes.
In what concerns directing, I must say I liked the overall look of the movie, very sober and clean, but above all, real. The script is well- written, with well-developed characters. The ending,in general, is somewhat predictable but the last scene, well, the last scene, simply wasn't and reveals the intelligence of the filmmaker.
Why take the risk?
"Zipper" is a good movie to watch, pretty good performances and well- directed.
- templar77099
- Sep 18, 2015
- Permalink
Zipper wants to be sleazy political thriller. It stars Patrick Wilson as a sex addicted state prosecutor Sam Ellis who is being groomed to climb the political ladder.
Ellis has a loving wife, Jeannie (Lena Headey) whose powerful and wealthy family has the political connections that her husband needs.
Sam quickly goes from internet porn to using an high class exclusive escort agency which is under investigation by the FBI. A suspicious journalist Coaker (Ray Winstone) threatens to expose Ellis's infidelities.
Wilson once again goes out on a limb as a charming but shady character who in the end might still have not learned from his mistakes.
He is hampered by a spotty script which goes nowhere apart from pleading that politicians are just like ordinary citizens with weaknesses. However politicians have a irritating habit of telling people how to live their lives despite their own moral shortcomings and when they get caught, they can use their power and wealth to keep it hidden.
Ellis has a loving wife, Jeannie (Lena Headey) whose powerful and wealthy family has the political connections that her husband needs.
Sam quickly goes from internet porn to using an high class exclusive escort agency which is under investigation by the FBI. A suspicious journalist Coaker (Ray Winstone) threatens to expose Ellis's infidelities.
Wilson once again goes out on a limb as a charming but shady character who in the end might still have not learned from his mistakes.
He is hampered by a spotty script which goes nowhere apart from pleading that politicians are just like ordinary citizens with weaknesses. However politicians have a irritating habit of telling people how to live their lives despite their own moral shortcomings and when they get caught, they can use their power and wealth to keep it hidden.
- Prismark10
- Jun 8, 2017
- Permalink
Patrick Wilson plays nice man with a good life and a great wife is bored with his life, as most domesticated people are.
They have a plan - he has a successful legal career and is headed to Washington DC. She has the connections but is the stay at home mother doing charity work to support his aspirations. Lena Headey seems to have cornered the market on tough, goodlooking women parts.
Just as he is about to launch the campaign, he develops a taste of young, pretty prostitutes. This costs money and brings them to the brink of disaster.
Like most men - without their wives or mothers they would amount to nothing!
Some good parts for people like Richard Dreyfuss and Ray Winston but the subtext by the end is that men are the whores and women play they game.
They have a plan - he has a successful legal career and is headed to Washington DC. She has the connections but is the stay at home mother doing charity work to support his aspirations. Lena Headey seems to have cornered the market on tough, goodlooking women parts.
Just as he is about to launch the campaign, he develops a taste of young, pretty prostitutes. This costs money and brings them to the brink of disaster.
Like most men - without their wives or mothers they would amount to nothing!
Some good parts for people like Richard Dreyfuss and Ray Winston but the subtext by the end is that men are the whores and women play they game.
OK, I have read all seven posted reviews as of today. I disagree with all of them. The one comparing women to fruits is downright silly,to put it nicely. Women urge for other men no less, and you might be surprised that they usually fulfill their desires.They are more discreet and men, less suspicious by nature, might never know. I also don't think all men are pigs as I don't believe in monogamy. And it takes two, you know. OK, back to the film review. Steamy? it is not! It might look steamy only if one never experienced truly passionate, mind blowing sex himself. Good acting? It is not! I found Patric Wilson's performance rather weak. Good story? It is not! A mix of Bill Clinton, Franc Underwood and Tiger Woods stories. Smashing car windows with baseball bat looked downright forced and borrowed from Elen Nordegren; besides it was not justified by the previous scenes which looked more like acceptance for the sake of whatever than a rage. What was the purpose of this film? I am puzzled. If you want to watch a good movie about sex/porno addiction, I recommend Men,Women&Children, which is underrated in my opinion.
- selena-71096
- Nov 10, 2015
- Permalink
Just watched "ZIPPER" 9/10 - a very dark and gripping film about destruction by obsession.
The central character is portrayed by Patrick Wilson and this is another very brave choice of role after "Hard Candy" where he played a man internet grooming an underage female.
How many leading actors would dare to play these roles?
He's not just an amazing actor he's obviously fearless with his career and image.
The rest of the cast are superb too. Ray Winstone in a new kind of role for him..he's such a good actor and thank goodness he was allowed to keep his London accent after falling flat on his face in "The Departed" trying to be a Boston accented tough guy.
The central character is portrayed by Patrick Wilson and this is another very brave choice of role after "Hard Candy" where he played a man internet grooming an underage female.
How many leading actors would dare to play these roles?
He's not just an amazing actor he's obviously fearless with his career and image.
The rest of the cast are superb too. Ray Winstone in a new kind of role for him..he's such a good actor and thank goodness he was allowed to keep his London accent after falling flat on his face in "The Departed" trying to be a Boston accented tough guy.
- John von K
- Jul 22, 2016
- Permalink
7.25 of 10. A solid R-rated political drama/thriller, with a twisted tragic/happy ending, figuratively and literally.
How does a well-informed government attorney familiar with the ways powerful people get caught and tracked in various levels of crimes get caught having illegal sex? Herein lies one way that doesn't involve any hacking or computer errors. It also provides an unexpected way out.
A few downsides like it doesn't make the location very clear, which is important when doing political stories with a close connection to reality, only briefly near the beginning indicating it's South Carolina. The rest of the way it could be any US urban/suburban area. They also opted to rarely use regional accents. And finally there's the bad product placement issues. None of it enough to stop the film from being worth watching, but it does stand in the way of something worthy of awards.
How does a well-informed government attorney familiar with the ways powerful people get caught and tracked in various levels of crimes get caught having illegal sex? Herein lies one way that doesn't involve any hacking or computer errors. It also provides an unexpected way out.
A few downsides like it doesn't make the location very clear, which is important when doing political stories with a close connection to reality, only briefly near the beginning indicating it's South Carolina. The rest of the way it could be any US urban/suburban area. They also opted to rarely use regional accents. And finally there's the bad product placement issues. None of it enough to stop the film from being worth watching, but it does stand in the way of something worthy of awards.
Review: This is another one of those movies, we're the main character seems like he has it all! Sam Ellis (Patrick Wilson) is a highly ranked political figure, whose future looks extremely bright, and with the backing of his loving wife, Jeannie (Lena Headey), there really is no stopping this rising political star. After taking on a case against a exclusive escort agency, he starts to delve deeper into there undercover service, after Jeannie goes away with there young child with her father. He then decides to try out there service, and he soon becomes addicted to hiring escorts, and using there services in seedy hotel rooms. The higher he goes up the political ladder, the more dangerous his addiction becomes and his wife starts to get suspicious about his weird behaviour. With the escort agency under investigation by the FBI, and a family friend, Coaker (Ray Winstone) threatens to expose his secret life, and it all becomes a bit too much for Sam, who is due for a big promotion. This movie really does show how these politicians can get away with anything! Even when all of the evidence is stacked up against them, they use there power to look squeaky clean in the public eye, which just gives them more power to do whatever they want. I was hoping for something a bit different in this movie but it seemed to be going round in circles because he couldn't beat his addiction. The performances wasn't bad and the plot was pretty intense towards the end but it seemed like an average, "straight to DVD" movie, which lacked originality. I was pretty disappointed with the outcome, mainly because he deserved to be punished for his actions but it just shows that money and power will always win, in the political world of corruption. Average!
Round-Up: This movie was written and directed by Mora Stephens, 40, who also brought you Conventioneers in 2005. As she hasn't had that much experience behind the camera, I can't totally blame her for the outcome of this movie, which should have exploited the corrupt politician, and made his public life hell. Lena Headey was perfect for her role, and she brought intensity to an impossible situation but I found Patrick Wilson a bit stiff and unemotional. With that aside, it's still an entertaining movie which gives an insight into politicians weird sexual activities but I can't see me watching it again anytime soon.
Budget: $4.5million Worldwide Gross: N/A
I recommend this movie to people who are into their thriller/dramas, starring Patrick Wilson, Lena Headey, Ray Winstone, Richard Dreyfuss, John Cho, Dianna Agron and Christopher McDonald. 4/10
Round-Up: This movie was written and directed by Mora Stephens, 40, who also brought you Conventioneers in 2005. As she hasn't had that much experience behind the camera, I can't totally blame her for the outcome of this movie, which should have exploited the corrupt politician, and made his public life hell. Lena Headey was perfect for her role, and she brought intensity to an impossible situation but I found Patrick Wilson a bit stiff and unemotional. With that aside, it's still an entertaining movie which gives an insight into politicians weird sexual activities but I can't see me watching it again anytime soon.
Budget: $4.5million Worldwide Gross: N/A
I recommend this movie to people who are into their thriller/dramas, starring Patrick Wilson, Lena Headey, Ray Winstone, Richard Dreyfuss, John Cho, Dianna Agron and Christopher McDonald. 4/10
- leonblackwood
- Jan 4, 2017
- Permalink
This film tells the story of a married lawyer with a promising political career, who gets side tracked by experiences with ladies from an escort agency.
"Zipper" keeps me engaged because the I like the story. The first half is more erotic while the second half is more of a thriller. How Patrick Wilson does a good job portraying his character, who lets his urges overtake his sensibility. His guilt in the diner with the reporter is piercingly good. I think the story is well presented, easy to follow and engaging. The scenes are nicely shot as well. I enjoyed watching "Zipper"!
"Zipper" keeps me engaged because the I like the story. The first half is more erotic while the second half is more of a thriller. How Patrick Wilson does a good job portraying his character, who lets his urges overtake his sensibility. His guilt in the diner with the reporter is piercingly good. I think the story is well presented, easy to follow and engaging. The scenes are nicely shot as well. I enjoyed watching "Zipper"!
women reviews all agree that men are pegs! o k leave them in illusion ! one of my married friends always explain men's urge for other women by comparing women with fruits suppose you like apples so you married an apple but after you get full of apples won't you feel the urge to try bananas? what about oranges? watermelon? raspberry ? .....etc! women always blame men that they look to other women's hot spots hey & what man doesn't? it's nature baby wake up. so women has to be smart wives has to change herself with time. apples don't have to remain apples for life they can disguise as oranges sometimes too ! first we see the eager & the fire inside the man when he looks to his office girl colleagues & once again this is totally natural. the movie makes it all clear when we see the master scene sex between the man & his boss sorry his wife! this movie is a wake up signal for wives to wake up before it's too late!
I wasn't sure what to really expect with this film (probably should have read a blurb!), a political-esque drama certainly didn't enter my mind.
The movie moves along ok until about half way when things escalate ridiculously, where our lead starts acting like a crack addict. I get it, addiction is addiction but at this stage of the film it just overplays it.
Strangely this continues for (guessing) about 10 minutes and then seems to find itself again.
There are 2 significant points about this movie: 1: The cast is much better than the movie, especially Headey and Winstone.
2: You could mount a case for this being a bio pick of the Clintons?
The movie moves along ok until about half way when things escalate ridiculously, where our lead starts acting like a crack addict. I get it, addiction is addiction but at this stage of the film it just overplays it.
Strangely this continues for (guessing) about 10 minutes and then seems to find itself again.
There are 2 significant points about this movie: 1: The cast is much better than the movie, especially Headey and Winstone.
2: You could mount a case for this being a bio pick of the Clintons?
- damianphelps
- Oct 31, 2020
- Permalink
I was expecting a much more exciting and original ending, it had a good build up, but left feeling it wasn't much of a thriller in the end. Lena's reaction to the whole situation was typical of a suburban housewife something she claimed she wasn't. You can easily give this one a miss. Watch conjuring 2 for a Great Patrick Wilson performance, he didn't seem a good fit for this role in my opinion.
Zipper is an intriguing and somewhat dark film.
The plot is kind of evident in its title but this is not some smutty story of a politician. Rather it is about a rising star in politics who after years of playing it straight succumbs to temptation. We heard of famous politicians and presidents having affairs on the side.
The directing is pretty good as you can feel the intensity in some scenes and feel the rush Ellis feels. With some better directing, writing and budget off course this could be an even greater film. Part of its allure is the dark or other side of clean and television friendly person. How people need to see and believe in someone like that but the reality is different. Once again the reviewers/sheep have given this a low score without judging this film on its merit. Any reviewer should have the rule that he/she will judge a film by its quality not by the opinions of others.
The plot is kind of evident in its title but this is not some smutty story of a politician. Rather it is about a rising star in politics who after years of playing it straight succumbs to temptation. We heard of famous politicians and presidents having affairs on the side.
The directing is pretty good as you can feel the intensity in some scenes and feel the rush Ellis feels. With some better directing, writing and budget off course this could be an even greater film. Part of its allure is the dark or other side of clean and television friendly person. How people need to see and believe in someone like that but the reality is different. Once again the reviewers/sheep have given this a low score without judging this film on its merit. Any reviewer should have the rule that he/she will judge a film by its quality not by the opinions of others.
"Zipper" is a Drama - Thriller movie in which we watch a well respected family man with a political career in front of him becoming addicted to using an escort agency. Things get complicated and he has to make some important and very serious decisions.
I have to admit that I did not have high expectations from this movie so, I was not disappointed by it. The plot of the movie was simple but interesting enough for the audience to follow it while some minor plot twists made it even more interesting. The interpretations of Patrick Wilson who played as Sam Ellis, Lena Headey who played as Jeannie Ellis, Ray Winstone who played as Coaker and Dianna Agron who played as Dalia were good and their combination worked fine. Lastly, I have to say that "Zipper" is a nice movie to spend your time with but do not have high expectations from it.
I have to admit that I did not have high expectations from this movie so, I was not disappointed by it. The plot of the movie was simple but interesting enough for the audience to follow it while some minor plot twists made it even more interesting. The interpretations of Patrick Wilson who played as Sam Ellis, Lena Headey who played as Jeannie Ellis, Ray Winstone who played as Coaker and Dianna Agron who played as Dalia were good and their combination worked fine. Lastly, I have to say that "Zipper" is a nice movie to spend your time with but do not have high expectations from it.
- Thanos_Alfie
- Mar 3, 2023
- Permalink
I made two assumptions while watching this film. One: It was shot in Vancouver. Wrong! Louisiana. Two: It was directed by a woman. Right! Moira Stephens. (Why do all drowned men float to the surface? Because they're all scum! I suspect Ms. Stephens, whose bio on IMDb is rather sketchy, might enjoy that joke. Maybe she originated it.) Nevertheless, this is a sharply done film, well produced, well shot and very well acted. The first half is saturated with excessive and overly graphic sex. Intercourse (missionary and others). Cunnilingus. Masturbation. Nudity. Tits and ass. Other sexual practices for which I know neither the Latin nor gutter terms. It borders on skin-flick pornography. It's possible to film sexual infidelity with a little less realism than we have here. There is a faint dark current under the whole thing. It made me feel guilty for being a man and, indeed, I rather disliked Sam Ellis and respected and sympathized with his wife. Worth watching but be sure the kids are in bed. Oh...check your husband's whereabouts as well. He said he was going to the bathroom but he probably was next door bonking the neighbor's daughter. Or wife. Or mother. All men, including your husband are...well, you get the message.
First, let me reveal that I think Patrick Wilson is one of the most under-appreciated, naturalistic actors working today. His pairing with Kate Winslett in the film of Tom Perotta's brilliant "Little Children" was sublime. I even liked him in Joe Carnahan's over-the-top (but still lovable) "Stretch". So when I read the summary of "Zipper" and knew he played the lead, I had to see it, despite the uniformly negative reviews.
Mora Stephens' film revolves around a seemingly straight-laced upstanding guy, Sam Ellis (Wilson), who --- perhaps subconsciously --- lets his sexual addiction spin wildly out of control only a few months before being prepped for a senate seat bid. I say subconsciously because there are a lot of indications, through the script and Wilson's largely underplayed performance, that Sam's not a real happy guy. His "career" has been architected and steam-rolled by his passive-aggressive wife (Lena Headey), their marriage is on the rocks (though on the surface it seems fine) and he's constantly being given the stink-eye for even mentioning ethics to his jaded boss.
Wilson imbues Ellis with so many shades of gray and doubt that it really is quite riveting watching him unravel, back-pedal, and flail madly as his world threatens to crumble around him. And that's really all there is to this movie. It's a potent character (not plot) piece on the subject of addictive, compulsive behavior and sex addiction in particular. It really treats the dysfunction as just as potent an urge as the one a junkie craves in hard drugs. You can *see* the helplessness and frantic drive in Wilson's face and really believe that he believes he *has* to surf to that porn site, he *has* to call that escort... in his mind he has no alternative.
This is brave, unflinching stuff and not many people will empathize or even care to see such repugnant behavior in action, yet Stephens and Wilson don't spare us anything, even a brutally uncompromising, cynical, and quite believable ending.
It's amazing that people say things like "How could Ellis be so dumb?" Like ANY kind of addictive behavior is something people actually sit down and mull over, weighing the pros and cons, before getting their fix! Do addicts have the control to change their behavior? Of course. They just can't conceive of it. And that's the point of "Zipper".
Mora Stephens' film revolves around a seemingly straight-laced upstanding guy, Sam Ellis (Wilson), who --- perhaps subconsciously --- lets his sexual addiction spin wildly out of control only a few months before being prepped for a senate seat bid. I say subconsciously because there are a lot of indications, through the script and Wilson's largely underplayed performance, that Sam's not a real happy guy. His "career" has been architected and steam-rolled by his passive-aggressive wife (Lena Headey), their marriage is on the rocks (though on the surface it seems fine) and he's constantly being given the stink-eye for even mentioning ethics to his jaded boss.
Wilson imbues Ellis with so many shades of gray and doubt that it really is quite riveting watching him unravel, back-pedal, and flail madly as his world threatens to crumble around him. And that's really all there is to this movie. It's a potent character (not plot) piece on the subject of addictive, compulsive behavior and sex addiction in particular. It really treats the dysfunction as just as potent an urge as the one a junkie craves in hard drugs. You can *see* the helplessness and frantic drive in Wilson's face and really believe that he believes he *has* to surf to that porn site, he *has* to call that escort... in his mind he has no alternative.
This is brave, unflinching stuff and not many people will empathize or even care to see such repugnant behavior in action, yet Stephens and Wilson don't spare us anything, even a brutally uncompromising, cynical, and quite believable ending.
It's amazing that people say things like "How could Ellis be so dumb?" Like ANY kind of addictive behavior is something people actually sit down and mull over, weighing the pros and cons, before getting their fix! Do addicts have the control to change their behavior? Of course. They just can't conceive of it. And that's the point of "Zipper".
I'm a big fan of Patrick Wilson, but hadn't seen him entirely carry a film before, so was interested to see how he would go at it in 'Zipper'. As I expected he was up to the task. He has a way of being very natural and easy to watch on screen without seemingly having to do too much. The roles I'd mostly seen him in prior to this were him playing the straight guy, with the exception of 'Hard Candy', where he had a very intriguing character indeed, and presented him masterfully. He's an underrated actor that doesn't always get the credit he deserves, but hopefully films like 'Zipper' give people a chance to see his abilities shine through.
The film itself is interesting enough. It deals with the subject of adultery, much like the 2002 film 'Unfaithful' but fails to have the same impact and memorability that that one had. The reason I think is a bit of a case of "seen it all before". People in high powered jobs are frequently portrayed to be having affairs (often with little to no consequence) and so the subject has become a little run of the mill. The popular TV series at the moment 'House of Cards' will be doing that stereotype no favours. There are some thought-provoking moments and well acted scenes that do make this a worthwhile watch however. The final scene is also sure to raise a few discussions among viewers. Solid, but never steps it up to the next level.
The film itself is interesting enough. It deals with the subject of adultery, much like the 2002 film 'Unfaithful' but fails to have the same impact and memorability that that one had. The reason I think is a bit of a case of "seen it all before". People in high powered jobs are frequently portrayed to be having affairs (often with little to no consequence) and so the subject has become a little run of the mill. The popular TV series at the moment 'House of Cards' will be doing that stereotype no favours. There are some thought-provoking moments and well acted scenes that do make this a worthwhile watch however. The final scene is also sure to raise a few discussions among viewers. Solid, but never steps it up to the next level.
- jtindahouse
- May 15, 2016
- Permalink
Patrick Wilson as a married lawyer who is bored with an earnest life alongside his diligent yet ambitious wife. The man falls into the trap of lust on his way to a promising political career.
The movie contains some good acting, a decent plot and a great great climax scene where Lena Headey kills it being a devastated wife who continues to play the game on her own.
I do not get the hate from some people for this move, it is probably because they feel that the story about a scandalous politician seems predictable and boring. Nonetheless the main focus of the movie is the insiders' reaction as the problem escalates. Both the wife and the husband's insights and complex emotions are portrayed very well. For me personally Lena Headey performance as a politician's wife deserve an Oscar.
The movie contains some good acting, a decent plot and a great great climax scene where Lena Headey kills it being a devastated wife who continues to play the game on her own.
I do not get the hate from some people for this move, it is probably because they feel that the story about a scandalous politician seems predictable and boring. Nonetheless the main focus of the movie is the insiders' reaction as the problem escalates. Both the wife and the husband's insights and complex emotions are portrayed very well. For me personally Lena Headey performance as a politician's wife deserve an Oscar.