The Trailer:
Director: Terry Gilliam
Writer: Pat Rushin & Terry Gilliam
Cast: Christoph Waltz, Mélanie Thierry, Lucas Hedges, Tilda Swinton, & Matt Damon
Plot Summary: Qohen Leth (Christoph Waltz), a socially awkward but computer savvy man is asked by Management (Matt Damon) to prove the Zero Theorem, which states that the Universe will end in nothing rendering everything meaningless. On his tireless attempt to prove the theory he is given advice by a computer genreated therapist, Dr. Shrink-Rom (Tilda Swinton), propositioned by a cyber-prostitute Bainsley (Mélanie Thierry), and aided by a young hacker, Bob (Lucas Hedges).
The Zero Theorem is one of those films that you either like or you you hate. There's no in between, unless you're me. Reading the reviews for it on IMDb and Amazon, it's clear that most are upset with the ending, or lack thereof rather. But I have a different view on that, which I'll get to later. Mostly, I like the film, but there are some factors that leave me puzzled.
First, the things that puzzle me. Or, actually, they don't puzzle me so much as they don't resonate with me. The overall kind of retro-futuristic look the film has going for it is not my favorite thing. And I get that it's kind of the style of Terry Gilliam— he makes these weird, fantastical films that are really outside the box—, but it just doesn't sit right with me. The story has such poignancy and depth that the cartoony look and style of the future takes away rather than adds or compliments. Don't get me wrong though, I'm all for a fun, kooky futurism appearance just not with the context of this film. To be fair, not everything about the setting bothers me. There are certain details and/or behaviors of the people of the future that I can understand how it is the evolution of things we have or do today. Example: there is a party scene in which everyone is individually listening to their own iPod looking devices rather than collectively participating in the party. And I can see how our dependence on phones and tablets right now,in the present, could eventually transform into us not having real connections with others even in a party atmosphere. Therefore, I can appreciate and respect certain creative ideas regarding the future in this film, just not all of them. Oh, you know, now that I think about it there are things that puzzle me. Throughout the film various characters use terminology that is unfamiliar to us outside of their world, yet they're never explained. Some of them have implied definitions, others still baffle me. Like entities? Are they talking about spirits, souls, some kind of transient being? I have no idea. It's not really important that we understand the vernacular, but it would still be nice to know.
The plot is a little wonky and is without a definite end or conclusion. In the beginning we are plagued with wondering if Qohen is ever going to figure out the Zero Theorem, but towards the end question is placed on the back burner. While for some this might be annoying, because why invest in a story line when nothing is going to come of it? But if you take a closer look, you'll see that though this is the main plot it isn't what the film is about. The film's theme is much grander than that and hidden just beneath the theory proving veneer. Instead of investing in the plot we are weened into focusing on this man, Qohen, and his empty life: he is so afraid of everything and nothing all at that same time that he has detached himself from the world, but not completely. In his attempt to finally shut out the world completely eventually leads to various others intruding on his life. Further, the reasons he had for staying away from the world begins to muddle as he makes connections with these new people around him. Without giving too much away, the film forces us to examine our own motives in life. Why do we do the things we do? Is it for ourselves or for some one else? Perhaps a divine being. Can we be certain that our beliefs will carry on with us after we've come to an end, after the universe has come to a end? And if it's all meaningless, what's the point? Some of these questions, upon the conclusion, are answered while others are left for us to figure out. Even the ones that are answered can be taken apart an answered again with a completely different solution. In the end, there is no right answer. That's what's important to remember as you watch The Zero Theorem, there is no right way or wrong way for it to unfold, it just does. You know what I mean?
Now for the acting. Christoph Waltz is a masterful actor with such an enormous talent for taking a character that potentially could've been very silly and a caricature and instead gave Qohen an endearing human side. Qohen, to me, was never too detached to resonate with me: He had real fears, he lives a life that is not unlike some people in the real world, he still possesses decent-human-being qualities despite being a bit eccentric. Christoph Waltz never makes Qohen someone to pity, but instead someone to sympathize with. But, really has Christoph Waltz ever been terrible in a film? Not in my book. Then we have Mélanie Thierry who plays Bainsley, the sort of cyber-prostitute/stripper (in their world it's rather difficult to decipher what she does exactly). And while she doesn't have a lot of depth, I still find myself liking her. While her motives may be questionable, she is still charming in her own way: She forces Qohen to wander outside of his comfort zone and see what he's been missing. She is bubbly and fun, but not without a sense of sadness. Lucas Hedges plays Bob, Management's son and, also, a computer hacking genius. He, with his carefree and somewhat obnoxious attitude, becomes Qohen's only friend. Tilda Swinton plays Dr. Shrink-Rom, and is absolutely glorious at it. Though she's only on screen for a limited amount of time, she captures this kind of quack-doctor vibe sprinkled with false optimism that is strange and intriguing. Then there's Matt Damon who plays Management. Management is this near-fable like person. People are weary of him, yet no one ever really talks directly with him. Again, only on screen for a small amount of time but what he does in his screen time is great: he is this imposing figure who seems to have little interest in the way of the world and yet he watched everyone and everything via camera. Overall the acting is superb and wonderful and fantastical. What more could you want?
The cinematography, oh what a beauty. This film is saturated in color, dripping in color even. It's filmed on film rather than digital which is what allows for the richness and depth of the colors to truly mesmerize the viewers. If you're not gonna watch for the story, at least watch for the sheer beauty of the film. Furthermore, the direction is spectacular. Again, with Terry Gilliam you wouldn't expect less. He is a master of creating these fantasy worlds with the use of interesting settings, colors, and costumes. Additionally, he utilizes off-kilter angles to kind of dizzy the viewers, to create a sense of... of I'm not sure what of but it makes you feel off. Like there's something not quite right. Oh, and then the constant allusion to this black hole that is shown frequently throughout the film is amazing. There's this weird sense of sadness and loneliness that is felt because of the black hole and I don't know where it comes from. I've seen photos videos of black holes a million times over, yet in the context of The Zero Theorem, there is a depressing shadow cast over them: a reminder that this world will end and we won't matter.
I know The Zero Theorem is not for everyone. I mean it's pretty obvious by the way people have reacted to it on IMDb and Amazon. It's a polarizing film, and I happen to be on the polar side that likes it. But if you're someone who wants a movie that contains a plot with a beginning, middle, and end this is not the film for you. Would I watch it again? Yes, definitely.
No comments:
Post a Comment