Directed by Richard Halpern
Zzyzx is a true rarity in today’s indie scene. There are no zombies (either the fast or the slow variety), no moping vampires, and no gratuitous torture of gorgeous tied-up women. Instead we are treated to a rich character and dialogue driven story where no one is quite what they seem to be and the audience is kept guessing as to what’s really going on right up to the final moments of the film. And it contains one of the most kick-ass opening credit sequences you’re likely to see anywhere. All of this — and more — from a film with an approximate $1 million budget and an only nine-day shooting schedule!
If you’ve ever traveled to Las Vegas from Southern California on Interstate 15, then you’ve no doubt seen and pondered the exit sign for Zzyzx Road. Zzyzx the movie provides a brief snapshot of four individuals who decide to go down that road for vastly different reasons but wind up crossing paths with some terribly unfortunate results. Seemingly mismatched pals Lou (Johnson), an Iraqi War vet, and Ryan (Fox) are on their way to Vegas but take a detour down Zzyzx Road due to Ryan’s obsession with Carl Ziller, a 1960’s cult leader who ran a radio station from his desert compound located at the end of the path. (For more on the Ziller mythology, which would make a fascinating film in its own right, visit the official Zzyzx website here.)
Either Candice (Cohen) is the world’s most naïve, trusting woman or she has her own agenda because instead of continuing her search for Manny, she winds up returning to the motor home with Lou and Ryan for some beers and partying — all the while riding in the front seat of Lou’s car with Manny’s corpse farting profusely from under the blanket. Once back at the motor home and with some mushrooms added into the mix along with the alcohol, things heat up sexually between Candice and Lou with Ryan, now even more brainwashed by Ziller’s non-stop ramblings in his ears, desperately trying to get in on the action. Why does Candice keep visiting the bathroom every few minutes, and does she in fact know that Manny is lying dead in the back of Lou’s car? What really happened to Lou over in Iraq, and will he follow through on his declaration to Ryan that Candice must join her husband in the hereafter? Will Ryan snap out of his near comatose state and come to Candice’s rescue, or have his visions of Carl and Sophia left him even more dangerous than Lou?
Which brings us to the technical aspects of Zzyzx. The sound design, editing, and cinematography are first-rate and add to the confusion and overall impending sense of dread that permeate the film. With most of the action taking place in either Lou’s car or the motor home, the term “claustrophobic” just barely scratches the surface. The three main actors throw themselves into their roles and give their all, wearing the dust and blood and wounds that criss-cross their bodies by Zzyzx‘s end proudly. Johnson especially is noteworthy as the amped-up and maniacal, yet strangely sympathetic Lou. He also comes off as a very cool guy to hang out with in real life in his interview that’s included as part of the disc’s special features. Conversations with Fox, Cohen, Cassia Walton (Sophia), director Halpern, screenwriter D’Alessandro, and Phillip Halpern (Richard’s brother and one of the film’s producers) round out the set and range from just a couple of minutes to Johnson’s lengthy in comparison 12-minute chat. Fox, aka the Brad Pitt of Albania, is particularly entertaining. In sharp contract to his character Ryan, he comes across as a hilariously deadpan smartass who no doubt livened up the set immensely.
The rest of the extras are comprised of a somewhat throwaway deleted scene, fun little homages to The Exorcist and A Clockwork Orange, a trailer that shouldn’t be watched before the film as it gives away some key plot points, a weblink to some never-before-seen footage, two Easter eggs that I admit I had some trouble finding (send me an email if you’re in the same boat), and a commentary with Richard Halpern and Art D’Alessandro. The commentary is so engaging and informative that not once was I tempted to skip ahead as I’m sure all of us do from time to time. Halpern discusses how Zzyzx was influenced by Alfred Hitchcock’s Rope and comments on the perils of filming in the Mojave’s 100+-degree temperatures. D’Alessandro explains how much more involved he was in the process than a writer usually is since he served as one of the co-producers too. All in all, the commentary is a well spent extra 80 minutes for those who enjoy the movie on its first go-round.
If, as the saying goes, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, then that goes double for Zzyzx Road. The desert hides its secrets better than any other place on the planet. One thing’s for sure: The next time I’m on I-15 and pass by a certain offramp, I’m keeping my eyes forward and my foot on the gas. I highly suggest everyone reading this review do the same!
Special Features
Commentary with director Richard Halpern and screenwriter/producer Art D’Alessandro
Cast and crew interviews
Deleted scene
Visiting The Exorcist Steps with director Halpern
Homage to A Clockwork Orange
Trailer
Weblink
Two Easter eggs (another deleted scene and an audio change in one of the features)
3 1/2 out of 5
Special Features
3 1/2 out of 5
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