| DIRECTED BY |
| Jean-Claude Lauzon
|
| STARRING |
| Gilles Maheu |
| Roger Lebel |
| Corrado Mastropasqua |
| Lorne Brass |
 |
Lauzon�s first feature explores a man�s re-realization of the importance of family after the importance of family has been forgotten. Marcel has been thrown into prison after a series of shady drug dealings with corrupt cops, yet he�s been lying to his family about his situation by claiming that he�s simply gone on a trip. I couldn�t help but wonder if Vincent Gallo had seen this film before writing �Buffalo �66;� either way, the similarities pretty much end there.
�Night Zoo� works well because its �crime subplot� manages to intertwine convincingly with its main plot, where all of the themes shine through. Certain subplots ultimately get tossed aside, such as Marcel�s strained relationship with his girlfriend; however, it seems apt that it would fall apart anyway as Marcel�s main interests gradually narrow down upon rebuilding his most important relationship. The �girlfriend subplot� nonetheless builds up to a fantastically suspenseful scene involving a continually closing grate inside of a tiny sex show booth.
It was wise for Lauzon to decide that he wouldn�t suddenly transform Marcel into a ruthless action hero, so we see him conspire with his jail friend. This concentration on realism manages to maintain the film�s sense of authenticity. Much of the dialogue, however, is often far too vague � Albert�s revelation that he knew about his son�s jail-time all along is delivered so nonchalantly that it borders on confusion. It also wasn�t a great choice for Lauzon to venture into farcical territory near the end either. I understand that �when near death � people will go to extremes, but the whole �male bonding� concept of hunting isn�t just about shooting an animal, as Lauzon appears to think.
