This movie is extremely philosophical movie. What is the meaning of life? Why we wait while we are missing out life for something better that we have no prove of. The question must be answered.
Problematic pacing but its Gilliams next addition to the Brazil universe. I should be lucky to get anything from such a prolofic director. Unfortunately, it took me 3 viewings to finish and I couldn’t shake the feeling it was “required viewing” over wanting to watch. It earned its 6 stars, it seemed hard to make.
Another Gilliam brain-fart masquerading as a deep look into the human psyche...
I struggle with liking most if not all of his films so maybe I'm just not his audience. It felt like a poor man's Fifth Element to me.
Solid cast with good cameos.
5/10
Totally Ninja! The plot it's amazingly mind twister. Bloody love it!!!! 10/10 recommend but not everyone will understand fully.
Terry Gilliam you are a fuck lunatic, but I rather prefer the Brazil movie!
Weird as fuck. The ending wasn't really an ending. Not sure if I would watch it a second time around, 12 Monkeys was much better.
Thematically, the closest movie to Brazil Gilliam has made. Those that live a happy, productive life might not enjoy it. The rest of us, can relate to what the movie is about.
If this is future of mankind, then it is better to kill ourselves.
Review by DeletedBlockedParent2014-08-13T16:17:57Z
"What am I living for?" - This is the central question of this film and right at the beginning we know we are expecting something extremely philosophical.
In The Zero Theorem we follow the computer hacker Qohen Leth, who works for a company called Mancom. His job is to decipher the supposed impossible "Zero Theorem", the theorem that will figure out which is after all the purpose of human existence. Qohen is an obsessive, very odd and lonely man and is constantly being interrupted by the owner of the company, the pompous Management that will try to obstruct the path, putting in front of him certain obstacles. Qohen is very methodical and with that he will be completely disoriented.
We know that Qohen is anxiously waiting for a call, that for what we realize, will finally bring something that he desires, but throughout the film we are not sure what he means and that sometimes is a bit frustrating.
This story is passed in a weird future where everything seems awkward and clumsy, but whoever it works very well! This world is very interesting and all the scenarios created are absolutely brilliant!
Christoph Waltz is a very versatile actor, seeing him in this complex role was great! Despite only getting very few scenes in the film, also found interesting to see Matt Damon in a more bizarre role than usual. Tilda Swinton, once again wonderful in a role that she really knows how to do and I would also like to mention the young actor Lucas Hedges for the good work.
The film shows a strong evaluation about human existence where - and I quote something close to a line said in the film - "chaos has profit". When society is led to believe in something higher - as Qohen faithfully believed that such a call would solve his problems and the end of his lonely life - human beings find comfort and life becomes meaningless, because the waiting becomes the reason of life... And will be this the waiting for something better after existence? Does humans only have the purpose to follow the journey of life with the aim of reaching eternal peace and happiness? Was this "waiting" what made the main character living an entire life of insignificance, but when he finds friendship and love is when he starts to realize that life is much more than sitting waiting for something good to fall from heaven.
In my point of view, the entire film is a metaphor and perhaps a controversial critique for those who believe in any religion. It is also sure to have faith and not need to belong to any specific religion, but the truth is that faith always moved people, and if we have a lot of faith is easier to reach certain goals.
The Zero Theorem can be a weird film, but certainly very intelligent. However I believe that will not please everyone.