Based on the 1994 YA novel by David Grossman, filmmaker Vincent Bal's The Zigzag Kid is a fine example of cosmopolitan, magical-realist children's entertainment that avoids condescension. The titular character is Amnon “Nono” Feierberg (Thomas Simon), the 12-year-old son of a widowed, famously tough Benelux police inspector (amusing pseudo-TV-cop-show imagery is used as a funny stylistic gimmick here). When Nono's active imagination lands him in trouble one too many times, he is ostensibly sent off to a disciplinarian uncle, but a last-minute note reroutes him to a very different mentor—dad's old nemesis: Riviera jewel thief and international master-of-disguise Felix Glick (Burghart Klaussner). Felix trains Nono in techniques of criminal mischief so that he can be a great lawman like his dad, but there is also a secret agenda: namely, to enlighten the boy (on the eve of his Bar Mitzvah) about his late mother and true heritage. Bal's fleet directorial touch and a fine cast (including Isabella Rosselini) make this smart coming-of-age tale a winner. Highly recommended. (C. Cassady)
The Zigzag Kid
Menemsha, 95 min., in English, French & Dutch w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $29.95 Volume 30, Issue 2
The Zigzag Kid
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