In Ben Coccio's "Zero Day," teens Cal Gabriel (Calvin Robertson) and Andre Kreigman (Andrew Keuck) plan a violent attack on their high school. Calling themselves the "army of two," the boys chronicle their preparation for the massacre on home videos beginning in June of 2000 and ending on May 1, 2001, the day that the tragedy occurs. Although it is a work of fiction, the movie possesses a striking verisimilitude, bringing to mind intentionally memories of Columbine and the real-life killers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold.Coccio, the director and producer of the film, co-wrote the script with his brother Chris. Coccio's work is simply ingenious. His casting of Robertson and Keuck, high school students who are not professional actors, results in a work that is unbelievably real. Additionally, his employment of the boys' actual parents to play their fictional parents works rather nicely as well creating an ease that is immediately sensed by the viewer. Interestingly, Coccio actually filmed the movie himself, even though the teens are supposed to be doing the videotaping. He is extremely successful in making it appear that the boys have controlled the camera, a task that could not have been an easy one, but is essential in making the viewer really believe in these two boys and their plan.

Although I respect and admire this movie, it would be impossible to say that I enjoyed it. It would be equally as difficult for me to decide whether or not I would recommend it. The subject that this movie deals with is extremely poignant and some simply may not be able to handle this film. There are many upsetting scenes throughout the movie, most notably the massacre at the end which is shown on what is supposed to be a high school security camera. I found myself turning my head and covering my ears at many points during this gruesome scene. Knowing that these events actually happened and that students were actually tortured as depicted in the film makes it all the more painful to see.

Yet at the same time, I feel that my experience of watching this movie had value. Coccio gives the two leads a true human quality that makes them seem like the kind of guys that everyone knows. Cal and Andre are generally not dark or creepy; they have great senses of humor. They do not have horrible relationships with their parents and a miserable home life but just the opposite: they have caring and supportive parents and siblings with whom they are close. In one scene, Andre's dad tells him how proud he is of his work ethic and offers to help chip in for a car. In another, Cal's mom admires her son's teeth after his braces have come off, telling the camera that it was worth the time and money. Andre and Cal are easy to relate to for all high school and college students, discussing issues ranging from ecstasy to febreze. Their boy next door quality (with a bit of a dark side hidden beneath the surface) enables the viewer to connect with the leads, an association that I found positively frightening.

Putting the actual subject aside, this movie is a great work. There is not a dull moment and the acting is extraordinarily good considering the fact that none of the cast had any professional experience. As should be expected, the scenery is very ordinary, consisting mainly of different places in the boys' home town in Connecticut, including their homes, the bank and their high school.

Unlike many current movies, the boys fire actual shots out of their guns during a target practice in the middle of the film. Although no one gets hurt (except for an unfortunate stuffed Bambi), images of the scene come back with a powerful effect later on when we see the boys shooting once more. However, this time they are shooting at their fellow students, and their joy can no longer be understood.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to actually put the subject aside except for at very brief and fleeting parts of the movie. It is a constant reminder of the tragedies that began with Columbine and have occurred in other high schools again and again. After watching the movie, part of me felt angry at Coccio for making me relate to these boys who would be easier to see as villains or monsters.

Coccio does not make these boys heroes in any way; in fact, they get their just dessert at the end of the film to an extent, although true retribution is not even possible. Yet Coccio certainly does not vilify Andre or Cal and it is clear from his interviews that he did not want to. In a way, this movie made me feel almost useless, since I now realize that it is almost impossible for either parents or peers to detect these types of horrifying plans. It almost makes me afraid to think of the boy next door because clearly, no one is who you expect them to be.

This movie certainly is an impressive piece and it has won many awards, but my advice would be to see it at your own risk. Even though it's been over a day, I still feel unsettled.