‘Zoom’ gets its only style points by being clever

Yet another average Canadian-Brazilian semi-animated film — well, all right, probably the first — “Zoom” definitely charts its own course. It takes a while for this movie to reveal exactly what’s going on, but when it does, it gets more interesting.

Three separate stories unfold along parallel lines. We meet an artist, Emma (Alison Pill, from “Midnight in Paris”) who works for a company that manufactures very lifelike sex dolls. As though intimidated by the perfectly-contoured bodies around her workshop, she gets breast implants, something she quickly regrets.

She draws a cartoon strip that becomes the film’s second storyline. Here she sketches her ideal man, a handsome movie director named Edward (Gael Garcia Bernal, from “Rosewater”). These scenes in the movie are entirely animated, so — although we can see and hear that it’s obviously Gael Garcia Bernal in the role — he’s never present in the flesh, as it were.

Edward is directing a movie about a supermodel, Michelle (Brazilian star Mariana Ximenes), who sets her mind on writing a novel; she impulsively flees to South America to work on the book, and look soulfully at the sea. Her boyfriend (Jason Priestley, in good mock-heroic mode) doesn’t think much of the idea. (These scenes aren’t animated.)

These three stories, which largely revolve around sex and sexual frustration, keep circling each other. There’s a payoff at the end, which director Pedro Morelli orchestrates in a satisfying way.

The problem is getting there. The concept itself is intriguing, but the stories are not hugely engaging on their own. Edward and his toadying producer (Don McKellar) have some funny Hollywood banter, and Alison Pill has an effective comic deadpan. (She’s also a good sport about wearing prosthetics, about which we will say no more.)

But the forward momentum isn’t there. When Edward gets pressured to spice up his arthouse picture with more action, we see that reflected in Michelle’s story. But it doesn’t make our viewing experience any livelier.

“Zoom” assumes we’ll be satisfied with the cleverness of its interlocking pieces. The concept is clever, all right, but once you get past it there’s not enough material to really fill the container — no matter how cool the container is.

“Zoom” 2 stars

A Canadian-Brazilian co-production that weaves three different storylines together. The tales are led by a comic-strip artist (Alison Pill), a film director (Gael Garcia Bernal, seen only in cartoon form), and a model-turned-novelist (Mariana Ximenes). The concept is more clever than the actual execution, alas. In English and Portuguese, with English subtitles.

Rating: Not rated; probably R for nudity, subject matter

Showing: Grand Illusion theater

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

What’s Up columnist Andrea Brown with a selection of black and white glossy promotional photos on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Free celeb photos! Dig into The Herald’s Hollywood time capsule

John Wayne, Travolta, Golden Girls and hundreds more B&W glossies are up for grabs at August pop-up.

Rodney Ho / Atlanta Journal-Constitution / Tribune News Service
The Barenaked Ladies play Chateau Ste. Michelle in Woodinville on Friday.
Coming events in Snohomish County

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Edmonds announces summer concert lineup

The Edmonds Arts Commission is hosting 20 shows from July 8 to Aug. 24, featuring a range of music styles from across the Puget Sound region.

Big Bend Photo Provided By Ford Media
2025 Ford Bronco Sport Big Bend Increases Off-Road Capability

Mountain Loop Highway Was No Match For Bronco

Cascadia College Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Midori Sakura looks in the surrounding trees for wildlife at the North Creek Wetlands on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cascadia College ecology students teach about the importance of wetlands

To wrap up the term, students took family and friends on a guided tour of the North Creek wetlands.

Mustang Convertible Photo Provided By Ford Media Center
Ford’s 2024 Ford Mustang Convertible Revives The Past

Iconic Sports Car Re-Introduced To Wow Masses

Kim Crane talks about a handful of origami items on display inside her showroom on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Crease is the word: Origami fans flock to online paper store

Kim’s Crane in Snohomish has been supplying paper crafters with paper, books and kits since 1995.

The 2025 Nissan Murano midsize SUV has two rows of seats and a five-passenger capacity. (Photo provided by Nissan)
2025 Nissan Murano is a whole new machine

A total redesign introduces the fourth generation of this elegant midsize SUV.

A woman flips through a book at the Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pop some tags at Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley

$20 buys an outfit, a unicycle — or a little Macklemore magic. Sales support the food bank.

The Mukilteo Boulevard Homer on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Homer Hedge’: A Simpsons meme takes root in Everett — D’oh!

Homer has been lurking in the bushes on West Mukilteo Boulevard since 2023. Stop by for a selfie.

Sarah and Cole Rinehardt, owners of In The Shadow Brewing, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In The Shadow Brewing: From backyard brews to downtown cheers

Everything seems to have fallen into place at the new taproom location in downtown Arlington

Bar manager Faith Britton pours a beer for a customer at the Madison Avenue Pub in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Burgers, brews and blues: Madison Avenue Pub has it all

Enjoy half-price burgers on Tuesday, prime rib specials and live music at the Everett mainstay.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.