The Zero Theorem – Film Review

The ace in the modest hand of Terry Gilliam’s intriguing but rather scrappy futuristic pantomime is Christoph Waltz as bald computer hacker Qohen Leth. He works for the all-powerful Mancom corporation, whose boss is none other than Matt Damon, not looking his best in a zebra-pattern suit and white hair.

When tasked to work on a project to prove that everything equals nothing, Leth sets up his stuff in an old church. Oddly, Tilda Swinton is on the computer screen as Dr Shrink-Rom, a buck-toothed therapist in a silly wig. Leth’s goal to discover the reason for human existence is continually interrupted by the Management (Damon). And Leth’s isolation is soon interrupted by Ben Whishaw’s Doctor 3, Peter Stormare’s Doctor 2, Sanjeev Bhaskar’s Doctor 1, a teenager called Bob (Lucas Hedges) and lusty love interest Bainsley (Mélanie Thierry).

The problem with Pat Rushin’s idea-laden screenplay is that it’s not really fresh, funny, clever or witty enough. This is a basic flaw that Gilliam can’t get round. The script feels like it was written in the early Eighties or even Seventies, it’s that stale. In place of originality, Gilliam brings as much of his usual boundless enthusiasm, imagination, anarchy, madness and just plain daft take on the world as he can muster. So that’s good, then.

You can see what attracted him to the project. It’s another absurd future world to explore. But the writer hasn’t given him the proper tools to make a great job. Your mind strays and attention wanders during The Zero Theorem, and you think longingly and fondly of Brazil (the movie, not the place) or Twelve Monkeys while watching this. In one way, it’s a liability to have a couple of such brilliant movies in your CV if you’re a film director.

Still, the hugely hard-working and immensely over-talented Gilliam and Waltz just about make it work, make the good bits fun and the whole movie not feel too tedious. Double Oscar-winner Waltz is centre stage on screen for the whole movie as the crazy Leth (or is he the sane one?). And he’s a class act, showy and ‘look-at-me’ compelling, but never over-playing his hand. And, of course, the film’s a must for Gilliam’s many, many fans.

Pat Rushin and his wife Mary can be seen as extras, sitting on a park bench.

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(C) Derek Winnert 2014 derekwinnert.com

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