Zipper - Blu-ray

Content: Actually, charismatic prosecutor Sam Ellis (Patrick Wilson) has everything going for him: he has an attractive wife (Lena Headey) who supports him in every way, and his professional career is also heading for a real high. And yet, Sam feels like he's missing something. When he starts dating a luxury call girl (Alexandra Breckenridge), it gives him just the kick he's been missing for total fulfillment. Knowing full well he's putting his marriage and career at risk, he can't stop meeting professionals in hotels. But then the FBI busts out the escort ring and Sam is in danger of being exposed. And he's determined to prevent that at all costs, as he's on the verge of ascending to the U.S. Senate.

Zipper is a successful blend of political drama and erotic thriller spiced with a light touch of satire. Patrick Wilson is perfect as the supposed clean-cut man who, after tasting of the forbidden fruit, reveals his true depths. All the ideals he espoused in the beginning are trampled on more and more by him with each subsequent encounter with a call girl. How much he loses his basic moral values becomes clear at the latest in the scene in which he tries to convince one of the girls to keep her mouth shut and not reveal anything about their mutual meeting. At first you get the impression here that Sam shows something like remorse and also feels sorry for the girl. Because beyond the fancy hotel room, she reveals to him the rather sad side of her job and it seems that Sam is definitely emotionally moved by it. But then things take a turn that abruptly shatters that impression.

And it is exactly this merciless way of showing moral hypocrisy, mendacity and obsession that makes the film so successful. The final shot in particular ensures that the film is able to get its message across enormously effectively, and doesn't succumb to the inevitable conversion to goodness that films like this tend to succumb to in Hollywood. For Zipper is not about indicting prostitution - neither the prostitutes, nor the johns. Rather, it's about bigotry, power hunger and hidden obsessions. And that becomes all too clear in the character of Sam Ellis to the fullest extent.

Wilson's performance is utterly convincing in all its facets. His first meeting with a luxury call girl in particular makes that clear. At first he is the total gentleman, is almost shy and suddenly a little disgusted with himself. But then he succumbs to the seductive arts of his companion and turns into a merciless egotist who simply takes what he needs. And this is then reflected in his political ambitions, where he has to show a particularly manipulative, mendacious side.

Here, a slightly clearer satirical undertone would have done the film good, because every now and then the production lacks the necessary bite that this story actually deserved. It's true that every now and then there is a slight flare-up of bitter cynicism. But the movie could have used a little more of that. But even so, Zipper is a really successful drama about human abysses with great actors and an appealing visual language. Despite some small weaknesses and some unused potential there is a clear: worth seeing!

Picture + Sound: The picture is absolutely clean and also features good to very good detail sharpness in many scenes. The color scheme is coherent and shows its particularly atmospheric side, especially in the outdoor scenes. So there are just as few notable flaws to complain about here as there are with the sound quality. The DTS-HD 5.1 MA mix is pleasantly lively and can convince again and again with good surround moments. The fact that the dialogue in the German language version sounds somewhat central and less harmoniously embedded in the action, as is the case with the original English version, can do little to detract from the positive overall impression. For this, there is a more than satisfied overall: good!

Extras: In addition to some cut scenes and the trailer for the film, there is also an informative audio commentary by director and screenwriter Mora Stephens.

Conclusion: Zipper is a gripping drama about sexual obsession, power hunger and unfulfilled longings. Although the film doesn't live up to its full potential and could use a little more bite in places, the fine acting - most notably Patrick Wilson - and engaging production make up for most of these shortcomings. The Blu-ray presents the film in good picture and sound quality, and has an informative audio commentary by the director to boot, in addition to some cut scenes. All in all, a clear case of: Recommended

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp