Zig Zag

Zig Zag is a 2002 American crime drama film directed by David S. Goyer, based on the novel of the same name by Walter Hill, which was written specifically for the film. The movie stars Kevin Bacon, Joe Pantoliano, Lindsay Crouse, Joseph Cross, Michael Cohan, and Andrew Levitas. The film revolves around a dying man, Jack Curtis (played by Kevin Bacon), a former police officer turned private investigator. Jack is suffering from terminal cancer and has only a short period left to live. To secure his widow's financial future, he devises a plan to frame himself for the murder of a wealthy businessman, Arthur Simpson (played by Joe Pantoliano). The police begin to investigate the crime, and Jack, who is already under the watch of the police due to his previous police career, makes sure to leave a trail of evidence that points directly to his guilt. However, things become more complicated when Jack's plan starts to unravel, and detectives David "Ziggy" Zoerb (played by Joe Mantegna) and Robert 'Bobby' Stark (played by Lindsay Crouse) start to get closer to the truth. The story then delves into the intricate details of the plan and the police investigation. As Jack's plan starts to become exposed, Jack's own demons and the reality of his situation start to take center stage. He is forced to confront the consequences of his own actions as well as his own impending death. The tension builds as the investigation heats up, and it becomes increasingly clear that Jack's plan may not be as foolproof as he had hoped. As Jack navigates his own moral compass, the film raises questions about guilt, innocence, and the nature of redemption. The character of Jack is complex, making it difficult to categorize him as either a hero or a villain. He is a flawed character, driven by desperation and a sense of responsibility towards his wife. Throughout the film, Kevin Bacon's portrayal of Jack Curtis delivers a compelling performance, making him a sympathetic and complex character. In a twist of events, Jack's plan starts to work, and he is arrested and charged for Arthur Simpson's murder. As he awaits his trial, he makes a shocking discovery that changes everything. Jack soon finds out that his own wife was the actual killer, and he had been duped into setting himself up for her crime. The revelation raises questions about the nature of marriage and relationships, and the lengths people will go to to achieve their goals. Ultimately, the film ends with Jack's death, after which it is revealed that he had indeed made a conscious decision to set himself up for the crime, even if it meant sacrificing his own life. The reason behind his actions was that he wanted to make sure that his daughter's mother, his ex-wife, would be taken care of financially. The film ends with the investigation closing, and the mystery of Jack's past slowly being unraveled. Zig Zag explores themes of mortality, guilt, and redemption, raising questions about the nature of human behavior and the lengths people will go to achieve their goals. The film's gripping narrative and complex characters make for a compelling watch, and Kevin Bacon's performance is a standout element in the movie.