Written by Adam Mast
MAGGIE (PG-13)
One might not be quick to associate the word “meditative” with a zombie film, but that’s what “Maggie” is. This is a shockingly quiet zombie flick, and it treats a worldwide epidemic the way it might actually be treated if this were reality.
The other attribute that that separates “Maggie” from the zombie pack is the addition of Arnold Schwarzenegger in a role so subdued, so undeniably melancholy, that you’ll forget this is the same man who played Conan the Barbarian, John Matrix, and the Terminator.
In “Maggie,” Schwarzenegger is Wade, a loving father who has no choice but to sit back and watch helplessly as his young daughter Maggie (Abigail Breslin) is consumed by a virus that will ultimately turn her into a zombie.
You see, in the world of “Maggie,” once you’re infected, “the turn” isn’t instantaneous. It’s a gradual process, and as fate would have it, there is no cure. The afflicted must initially deal with numbness and a loss of appetite. Shortly thereafter, those infected develop a keen sense of smell followed by an insatiable hunger for human flesh. Once the sickness completely takes over, the poor victims are no longer themselves.
As Wade bonds with Maggie over the course of her final days, he soon realizes that he’ll be forced to make a choice that no father should ever have to make.
“Maggie” is definitely a slow burn. Fans of George A. Romero’s zombie series, “Shaun of the Dead,” “Warm Bodies,” “World War Z,” “28 Days Later,” and even “The Walking Dead” will most likely find this film’s methodical pace maddening. In that regard, “Maggie” is to the zombie genre what “The Road” is to post-apocalyptic movies.
Schwarzenegger is terrific here in the most low key performance of his career. No guns, no explosions. Just an aging father with a weathered face hoping for an alternative solution to an inevitable end point. As the film’s title character, Breslin is solid too. Her Maggie struggles to hold on to her humanity, and the love she has for her father is undeniable. Breslin really sells it. As strong as Schwarzenegger and Breslin are individually, they’re even more effective when they’re sharing the screen together.
The character-driven “Maggie” isn’t without its flaws. It’s certainly rushed to a point. At only ninety minutes, Wade and Maggie aren’t given sufficient time to truly bond, and the film offers up an ending that’s somewhat unsatisfying. Having said that, there is something to be said about the poetic nature of this picture, and a sequence in which a few infected teens get together for one last time is surprisingly poignant. If Terrence Malick directed a zombie picture, it might look a little something like “Maggie.”
With themes of loss and grief, “Maggie” is a decidedly different take on the traditional zombie/virus outbreak movie. It’s far from perfect, but strong lead performances and a handful of key moments make it worth checking out. Just keep in mind, this is not a gore fest, and it will require your patience as a viewer.
“Maggie” was just released on Blu-ray and DVD.
