The Zero Theorem Doesn’t Add It All Up

Directed by Terry Gilliam.

Written by Pat Rushin.

Starring Christoph Waltz, Melanie Thierry, David Thewlis, Lucas Hedges, Tilda Swinton and Matt Damon.

R, 107 minutes.

Terry Gilliam’s new film overtly lends itself to comparison with his 1985 cult classic, Brazil. Both chronicle the inherent folly of man’s struggle against a glib dystopian society and feature a slew of wacky characters doing wacky things while mostly dressed in wacky costumes.

This isn’t meant to be reductive, either. Brazil is a truly special film, and the intention in replicating elements from that film in The Zero Theorem is apparent even if it’s not necessarily stated. A lot has changed in the almost thirty years since the release of Brazil, and if that film detailed our meek hero’s need to be free of an ineffectually corporate world, The Zero Theorem picks up with it in interesting new directions that reflect what it feels like to be totally disconnected in an interconnected world. This topic, of course, has been dealt with in several recent films, but The Zero Theorem benefits from the Terry Gilliam touch.

Christoph Waltz is Qohen Leth, an introverted man who lives in a hopelessly impersonal world and constantly refers to himself in plurals like “we” or “us.” He’s a programmer who works for Manco, a large conglomerate run by a man only known as Management (Matt Damon) who’s everywhere yet doesn’t want anyone to know to the point where his clothing always seems to match the material object his standing near (not entirely subtle, but inspired visual storytelling nonetheless). In this future world, cameras watch our every move.

Qohen’s desperately waiting for a phone call to tell him what his purpose in this life is. So, in order to be home at all hours in the event that such a call does happen, he requests to be able to work from home. Granting his request, Qohen is put on a project called Zero Theorem. It’s a dead-end kind of job, a never-ending assignment seeking to prove that the universe is without meaning. It’s a very interesting concept to base the film around, a man whose job is to prove a meaningless existence while he actively hopes for a sign of purpose. It’s a shame, then, that the movie barely rises above the level of “interesting.”

While the comparisons to Brazil incite a lot of interesting questions and commentary on the burgeoning twenty-first century, as a film The Zero Theorem fails to muster the same balance of biting satire and entertainment. Part of this seems to be by design. Perhaps Gilliam and writer Pat Rushin are commenting on the overall despair felt by many with the advent of our once seemingly mind-boggling technological advancements.

This is beginning to feel like less of a movie review and more of a half-baked analysis. To sum things up, The Zero Theorem is a film that boasts interesting ideas and a brilliant performance to center it around. Having said all that, it could have been a lot better. It falters when it comes to the other characters and sorely misses the comic energy that made the darkness at the core of Brazil stick with you long after the film is over. That being said, kudos to the film for not copping out with its ending. That much Gilliam can always be counted on for.

If you enjoyed N. Demmy’s piece, you can find his latest work right HERE and his earlier articles and reviews over HERE.

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