Movie Review - Zipper

Director and co-writer Mora Stephens is possibly making the point that there is this idea that politicians have to be squeaky clean, an idea that's probably not realistic, and perhaps that expectation shouldn't be put on them. If Stephens is making this point, then it's fine, but the politician in this film seems to have a serious problem. He's possibly a sex addict who starts paying for prostitutes, and it's not fine to veer into criminal activity. No, he doesn't have to be perfect or squeaky clean, but he doesn't have to be criminal either.

Patrick Wilson (The Conjuring and Little Children) stars as Sam Ellis, a federal prosecutor who has potential to be attorney general or even a congressman. He's a very successful lawyer and is making in-roads to become a successful politician. He's married and has a child. He and his wife have been together for 15 years. Their child is probably 5 or 6 or so. Sam has a great life, but one day he meets a witness in a case who is an escort or prostitute for a web site.

This launches Sam onto a path that could be similar to Eliot Spitzer. Sam becomes a client for this escort service. He secretly sees high-end prostitutes. It's not because he's having marital problems. It's not because his wife isn't available or let herself go. It's indicated that he has an addiction to sex. Some might call it a healthy, male appetite. At times, he is able to resist temptation. He's also not a stupid man. He knows how to cover his tracks, but there are moments where his physical behavior is very similar to many drug addicts.

Lena Headey (300 and Game of Thrones) co-stars as Jeannie Ellis, the wife of Sam who is available and lovely. She's gorgeous in fact. She's smart, but, unlike in the recent film Addicted (2014), Sam never really attempts to have sex with her. It negates this idea of addiction. He just wants a variety of younger girls, which makes one wonder why he got married or what went south. Jeannie seems to have an awareness of his inclinations, but what went wrong isn't clear from her either.

A lot of the narrative focuses on Sam trying to cover his tracks, as he rises politically. There is a great explosion where Jeannie has an angry and tearful confrontation with Sam. What follows makes her basically like the wife, played by Robin Wright from House of Cards. Yet, not much of a clue is established as to why. Her actions at the end to save Sam come out of left field.

Two Stars out of Five.
Rated R for strong sexual content, nudity, language and brief drug use.
Running Time: 1 hr. and 53 mins.