Free Zone (2005)

O An excellent must-see
O Good video rental
O Mediocre
X Rent something else

Review by Jason Pyles / July 23, 2007

“Free Zone” is only a good rental choice for two kinds of people: those who have an unconditional love for cinema and those who have an unconditional love for Natalie Portman.

I thought I had an unconditional love for cinema until I watched “Free Zone.” I love movies a lot, but not this much. “Free Zone” is hard to watch. Here is a perfect example of why:

For approximately the first six minutes of the film, we see an uninterrupted, close-up, profile shot of Natalie Portman crying in a car — with no dialogue. Then, for three additional minutes, the dialogue begins, and the camera remains on Portman’s face. This is the first nine minutes of “Free Zone.” Artsy? Yes. Entertaining? No.

“Free Zone” is set in the Middle East, is subtitled half the time, and is about an American girl from New York named Rebecca (Natalie Portman) who just broke up with her fiancé, Julio. So, she asks to tag along with her driver, Hanna (Hanna Laszlo), who is traveling to the Free Zone to collect money from her husband’s business partner, which proves to be an uneasy task.

And, of course, “Free Zone” is replete with symbolism of the conflict and unrest of the region. You may think I’m being lazy, but that’s about it.

Directed by Amos Gitai
Natalie Portman / Hanna Laszlo / Hiam Abbass
90 min. Drama
(No MPAA rating)
Edited version age recommendation: 12 and up

DVD release date: May 29, 2007
Copyright 2007.
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