Z for Zachariah (film)

Z for Zachariah is a 2015 science fiction drama film directed by Craig Zobel and starring Margot Robbie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Chris Pine. Written by Nissar Modi, it is based on the 1974 posthumously published book of the same name by Robert C. O'Brien, though the plot differs in some significant ways. The film was released on August 28, 2015, in the United States by Roadside Attractions. It received generally positive reviews from critics who mostly praised Robbie's performance. It grossed $121,461 at the box office.

Z for Zachariah
Theatrical release poster
Directed byCraig Zobel
Produced by
Written byNissar Modi
Based onZ for Zachariah
by Robert C. O'Brien
Starring
Music byHeather McIntosh
CinematographyTim Orr
Edited byJane Rizzo
Production
company
  • Zik Zak Filmworks
  • Lucky Hat Entertainment
  • Grindstone Entertainment Group
  • Night Fox Entertainment
  • Silver Reel
  • Lotus Entertainment
  • M Pictures
  • Sighvatsson Films
Distributed byRoadside Attractions
Lionsgate Films
Release date
  • January 24, 2015 (2015-01-24) (Sundance)
  • August 28, 2015 (2015-08-28) (United States)
Running time
95 minutes
Country
  • Iceland
  • Switzerland
  • United States
  • New Zealand
LanguageEnglish
Box office$121,461[1]

Plot

Nuclear-apocalypse survivor Ann Burden lives out an agrarian life on her family's valley farmstead, sheltered from radioactive contaminants by rocky hillsides, favorable weather patterns, and an abundant ground-fed water supply. One day Ann encounters fellow survivor John Loomis, a highly skilled engineer, who, aided by medicines and a radiation suit, has traveled from a distant military bunker to the safe confines of Burden's valley. Loomis bathes in contaminated water, and immediately sickens, but is nursed back to health by Ann, who welcomes him into her farmhouse.

Loomis regains his strength and gradually becomes part of Ann's humble rustic life. He helps Ann to pump diesel from local petroleum pumps and gets the farm's long-disused tractor running, hoping to stockpile food for the winter. Ann tells Loomis about her parents and younger brother who left the valley to find other survivors but never returned. Loomis speculates that hydroelectric power might be generated from the nearby waterfall, using a water-wheel fashioned from the Burden church's planks and beams. Ann is uncomfortable with this proposal, citing her father's past involvement as preacher and her own deeply-held Christian beliefs. Loomis chooses not to pursue the project further.

Ann and Loomis grow closer, cultivating crops and preparing for long-term habitation. Their domestic accord is marred by occasional tensions, notably involving matters of religion and Loomis' drinking. The two come to the verge of initiating a sexual relationship, but Loomis demurs, stating that further intimacy will change things between them, and that more time is needed.

Mysterious phenomena (including stolen food supplies and a half-glimpsed shadowy figure) culminate in the arrival of a third survivor, Caleb. Though Ann welcomes Caleb into the farmhouse, friction develops between Caleb and Loomis. Loomis questions Caleb's backstory and motives; Caleb repeatedly emphasizes the religious connection he shares with Ann (in stark contrast to Loomis), and half-jokingly suggests a wager for the farm-girl's affections while the two men go out turkey hunting.

The three survivors slowly settle into a marginally-stable partnership. Both men relate post-apocalyptic horrors they witnessed before reaching the valley; Loomis describes a radiation-sickened youth who begged him for death; later, he privately confides to Ann his belief that the dying boy may have been her long-absent brother. Caleb pressures Ann to go forward with the water-wheel project, and work commences on tearing down the church for materials. Perceiving their mutual attraction, Loomis awkwardly gives Ann consent to pursue a romantic relationship with Caleb, but belies his grief and anger in losing Ann through a racially tinged remark. Shortly thereafter, following a celebratory dinner, a heavily-intoxicated Loomis tells Ann he loves her before passing out in his bed. After failing to wake Loomis, seeming to want his affection, Ann joins Caleb in the adjoining bathroom, where the two engage in sexual activity.

Further tensions arise between Caleb and Loomis following the sexual encounter. The two men finish the water-wheel, moving it and its wooden flume into place atop the waterfall. Encumbered by the bulky radiation suit, Caleb slips twice during his rope-assisted climb up the slick mossy cliff-side. During the second slip, the two men silently lock eyes, both holding the rope, while Caleb teeters on the cliff's edge.

Loomis returns to the farmhouse alone. Ann apologizes for her earlier indiscretion; Loomis tells her that Caleb has left in search of other settlements. Ann takes this news badly, chasing after Caleb but not finding him, and lapses into a sullen silence. The farmhouse's electric lights and refrigeration are restored. Ann finds that her beloved church organ and three roughly fashioned pews have been moved into the barn. The two appear to exchange brief uncertain glances, Ann playing a hymn, Loomis sitting and clasping his hands, as the scene fades to black.

Cast

Production

The three principal cast members were announced in May 2013, which at the time included Amanda Seyfried[3] Seyfried, however, would eventually drop out and be replaced with Margot Robbie.[2]

Set in the Eastern United States, the film was shot mostly in New Zealand.[4] Principal photography began on January 27, 2014 in Canterbury, around the city of Christchurch.[5][6] Director Craig Zobel and cinematographer Tim Orr drew on Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky's films, like Solaris (1972), The Mirror (1975), and Stalker (1979) for inspiration, incorporating landscapes into the story and for the use of desaturated color. The film was shot digitally on an Arri Alexa camera and Panavision anamorphic lenses.[4] Additional scenes at the opening of the film were shot in Welch, West Virginia in March 2014.[7]

Release

The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2015.[8] Prior to the premiere of the film, Roadside Attractions acquired distribution rights to the film.[9]

The film was released both theatrically and on demand in the United States on August 28, 2015, by Roadside Attractions.[10]

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 79% based on reviews from 89 critics, with an average rating of 6.88/10. The site's consensus states: "Z for Zachariah wrings compelling drama out of its simplistic premise -- albeit at a pace that may test the patience of less contemplative viewers."[11] On Metacritic it has a score of 68 out of 100, based on 28 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[12]

Max Nicholson of IGN awarded 7.7 out of 10, saying "While the film isn't without a few tonal flaws, the performances -- particularly Robbie's -- keep the story grounded in a sublime, post-apocalyptic reality."[13][14] Matt Zoller Seitz of RogerEbert.com awarded it two and a half out of 4, saying "There are many sharply written, directed and performed moments of illumination and anxiety."[15][8][16]

References
  1. "Z for Zachariah (2015)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  2. Fleming Jr, Mike (January 18, 2014). "'Wolf Of Wall Street's Margot Robbie Set To Star In 'Z For Zachariah'". deadline.com. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  3. Kit, Borys (May 15, 2013). "Chris Pine, Margot Robbie, Chiwetel Ejiofor Starring in 'Z for Zachariah'". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  4. Mulcahey, Matt (September 4, 2015). "Thinking of Tarkovsky While Making New Zealand Look Russian: DP Tim Orr on Z For Zachariah". Filmmaker. Retrieved September 7, 2015.< New
  5. Daniels, Nia (January 28, 2014). "Margot Robbie filming Z for Zachariah in New Zealand". kftv.com. Retrieved July 30, 2016.
  6. "Actor Margot Robbie turns from glamour girl in Wolf of Wall Street to New Zealand farm girl as shooting starts on latest film Z for Zachariah". theaustralian.com.au. January 29, 2014. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  7. Maccaro, Matt (August 24, 2015). "Science-fiction film with shots in Welch to be shown Tuesday". West Virginia MetroNews. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  8. Todd McCarthy (January 24, 2015). "'Z for Zachariah': Sundance Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  9. Jeff Sneider (January 5, 2015). "Margot Robbie's 'Z For Zachariah' to Be Released by Lionsgate, Roadside Attractions (Exclusive)". Thewrap.com. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  10. Lesnick, Silas. "Z for Zachariah". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
  11. "Z for Zachariah (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  12. "Z for Zachariah". Metacritic. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  13. Max Nicholson, 27 Aug 2015. "Z for Zachariah Review". IGN.
  14. [ IGN]
  15. Seitz, Matt Zoller (August 28, 2015). "Z for Zachariah movie review & film summary (2015)". RogerEbert.com.
  16. Foundas, Scott (January 25, 2015). "Sundance Film Review: 'Z for Zachariah'". Variety. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
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