Set in the near future where a state of global terrorism has forced the military to reinstate the draft, three young friends have just received their induction notices and have 30 days to report for duty. They must battle their political views before making a decision that will change their lives forever. Aaron Feller (Elijah Wood), George Rifkin (Chris Klein), and James Dixon (Jon Bernthal) learn what it means to "serve with honor".
Wimpy novelist Aaron prepares for the life of a soldier with the help of a Bowflex machine and therapist Dr. Reynolds (Ally Sheedy). Corporate attorney George (Chris Klein) wishes to stay with his wife Molly (Ginnifer Goodwin), a recent cancer survivor, rather than fight in a war that he believes is wrong. He has decided not to go, but avoiding service is not easy. Streetwise cabdriver James (Jon Bernthal) is the most fearless and free of doubt, raring to fight for freedom, but he falls in love with sociology student Patricia (Elisabeth Moss), and suddenly issues that always seemed black-and-white to him are not so simple. As reporting day, or day zero, draws nearer the three friends fight, fall out, come together, and comfort each other.
The movie takes place over 30 days and during that time, these young men and their loved ones experience a wide range of emotions, and each struggles to come to terms with the blow they've been dealt. Aaron makes a list of things he wants to do before he dies. George thinks of various excuses: cutting off his fingers with a meat cleaver, pulling favors with a family friend, and fabricating a gay lifestyle. He freaks out during a head-scratching trip to a gay bar because the Gays are all exempt from service, "just for having a sausage party!" He fights and gets pummeled. Aaron asks him, "What's a sausage party?" James ruminates in private.
In the final scenes the movie opens up, dropping the characters into what appears to be an actual anti-war protest in New York. Aaron goes to a roof, runs to the edge and leaps to his death. George and James meet at Penn Station. We never learn if they have come for induction or to say goodbye to each other. Neither knows that Aaron is dead. The unsatisfying conclusion is wrenching and shocking, and illustrates the real-life impact of the draft.
"Day Zero" is an intriguing concept with a message, but it's stuck in a film that rarely digs deep, and never quite hits the mark. It slowly gains a foothold as it moves along. The formula driven characters enjoy a bit more development, and the plot takes some simple turns from our expectations. It's somewhat melodramatic, too generic, serious, slow, shallow, but compelling and entertaining. There are some funny scenes mixed with emotional scenes. It is not a political film and relies too much on the audience being American, with the feelings that come with drafts, wars, and duty to country. Many viewers love it and it has great cinematography with a strong soundtrack. Erin O'Hara composed the original music. Robert Malkani and Tom Touchet wrote the screenplay, and Bryan Gunnar Cole directed. Cole said: "I think part of the fun of doing a film like "Day Zero" is that you get to stir the pot a bit. I don’t think it's a film that has a big red bow on it and comes neatly packaged and is digestible as the feel-good war movie of the year. I think that it’s got some heart, it takes you on an emotional journey...some people are going to love it, some people are going to hate it."
