Genre Grandeur – The Zero Theorem (2014) – Movie Reviews 101

For this month’s next review for Genre Grandeur – Dystopian Movies, here’s a review of The Zero Theorem (2014) by Darren of Movie Reviews 101

Thanks again to James of Back to the Viewer for choosing this month’s genre.

Next month’s Genre has been chosen by S.G. Liput of Rhyme and Reason. We will be reviewing our favorite fantasy/sci-fi animated movies (non-Disney or Pixar) . Please get me your submissions by 25th May by sending them to animated@movierob.net Try to think out of the box! Great choice S.G.!

Let’s see what Darren thought of this movie:

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The Zero Theorem

Director: Terry Gilliam

Writer: Pat Rushin (Screenplay)

Starring: Christoph Waltz, Lily Cole, David Thewlis, Ben Whishaw, Peter Stormare, Melanie Thierry, Matt Damon, Tilda Swinton, Lucas Hedges

Plot: A computer hacker whose goal is to discover the reason for human existence continually finds his work interrupted thanks to the Management; namely, they send a teenager and lusty love interest to distract him.

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

Verdict: Asking the Question We All Ask

Story: The Zero Theorem starts by Qohen (Waltz) working on his computer trying to find the answers. He enters into the futuristic world with talking billboards controlled by Mancom where Qohen happens to work for. Joby (Thewlis) his boss is trying to keep everything together by Qohen is trying to find the answers to life but wants to talk to Management (Damon). Qohen is trying to get disability time off or working from home but he does get a chance to meet management at a party held by Joby.

Qohen meeting with Management didn’t go as well but upon a second meeting he gets given a chance to work on a special project for Management. The next project means he can work at how and along with hardware tech Bob (Hedges) he starts the job that could take up the rest of his life. Struggling to reach the same levels off work at home, because the project is much harder than first thought. Joby sends help Bainsley (Thierry) to help take his mind off the work and clean up the place. Qohen is searching for answers to make him feeling unique in the world instead of just be part of the system.

The Zero Theorem uses the very core question that gets asked by plenty of people through time ‘what are we here for?’ as I find myself asking this question I could relate to the ideas that Qohen was feeling with the search for answers because without them everything seems meaningless. The confusing side of the story comes with the job these people work on where the search for theorem answers is their main goal. I liked the intereaction between the character showing how top boss will give you a chance the supervisor will pretend to friend you while the young assistants help in their own way. This film will end up making you think which is alway a good thing in a film. (8/10)

Actor Review

Christoph Waltz: Qohen Leth a lonely man who wants to find a purpose for his life in a world where he is just part of the system, he is good at his job and ends up taking a difficult project to try and help his need to achieve more. Christoph does a good job in this role showing how he always has that thinking look in his eyes. (7/10)

David Thewlis: Joby supervisor who helps Qohen gets the task he wants trying to keep things together. David gives a solid supporting performance and clearly becomes the quirky one of the group. (6/10)

Melanie Thierry: Bainsley a call girl who becomes friends with Qohen trying to help him come from outside his shell. Melanie does a good job as the sexy distraction in Qohen’s life. (7/10)

Matt Damon: Management who gives Qohen a chance to prove his worth but demands things don’t done. Matt does a solid job in this small supporting role (6/10)

Lucas Hedges: Bob son of Management who is the tech guy who is set to help Qohen keep everything working so he can find his solution. Lucas gives the best performance of the cast as he sums up how Qohen could have felt as a youngster and how he will feel when he is older. (8/10)

Support Cast: The Zero Theorem doesn’t have much else in way of supporting cast anybody else is just small parts that try to help the story continue.

Director Review: Terry Gilliam – Terry always gives us something weird and wonderful to watch and this doesn’t let us down. (7/10)

Fantasy: The Zero Theorem enters into a potential fantasy future we are not aware of yet. (6/10)

Sci-Fi: The Zero Theorem uses a future world where anything could become possible to create a solid sci-fi element to the story. (8/10)

Settings: The Zero Theorem keeps the reality world settings dark but the fantasy world bright to make a good contrast between the two worlds. (8/10)
Special Effects: The Zero Theorem uses good special effects to make the fantasy happen. (8/10)

Suggestion: The Zero Theorem is one to try it will make you think which could put people off, but it is worth it in the end. (Try It)

Best Part: First beach trip.

Worst Part: Slightly too much thinking.

Believability: No (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Chances of Sequel: No

Post Credits Scene: No

Similar Too: Brazil

Oscar Chances: No

Runtime: 1 Hour 47 Minutes

Tagline: Nothing is everything.

Overall: Finding out the answers to everything is not always what you want it to be.