The Zero Theorem - Scotty's Review

Why are we here? What is the meaning of life?  Two questions that have been asked for years and will continue to be for many more.  But you have to ask yourself, what if the answer is not something that you chose to believe?  Would that make you want to find a way to prove it wrong, or would you be able to go out and search for your own answer, one that will make you happy?

Qohen Leth is a master programmer that is reaching the end of his rope.  Working for the Mancom corporation for many years, he is requesting to start to work from home as he does not see the point of working at a cubical station at the office.  Without being able to justify this with any health reason, his request keeps getting pushed back and he requests to speak with Management to get his request processed first hand.  With this being a very high end request, his supervisor tries to help him out, but does not have enough pull to really make it happen.

Being tricked into going to a party, Qohen is granted his meeting with Management, but after their brief conversation, understands that he will not receive any special treatment, even with all of the work his has completed for the company.  Meeting a strange woman, Bainsley at the party, Qohen starts to feel very uncomfortable with the situation and leaves.  At the office the next day, Qohen is surprised to hear that his request to work from home has been granted and he will be working on a special project for Management that nobody has been able to crack, the Zero Theorem.

When his home retrofitted with everything he needs, Qohen gets to work and as the months go by, he starts to figure out that the answers he is looking for may be unattainable.  Flipping out, he is met by Bainsley once again and the allure of the young woman drives him to start looking for other reasons to live.  Also being teamed up with Management’s son, Bob, Qohen starts to develop friendships and that starts to frighten him since he has not allowed anyone near him for several years, after he got divorced. Working with people he starts to care for, Qohen understands that there might be more to life than just the work he has been struggling with his entire life, but may not be able to provide the answer that Management is looking for in the end.

The Zero Theorem follows Qohen Leth as he is not comfortable with his work and just wants to stay home to complete his daily tasks.  With this being granted on one condition, he work on the Zero Theorem, which nobody previously has been able to crack, Qohen is given help in the form of social interaction that he has not craved for many years.   Working with Management’s son Bob, Qohen is also given a love interest in the form of Bainsley that will have him open up much more and hopefully find the answers.  When Qohen figures out that the answer he is supposed to supply could change everyone’s outlook on life, he questions his work and tries to steer clear, but there is no escaping Management and the work must go on.

This movie is slowly moving up my list of favorites and has over taken my favorite Terry Gilliam film,  12 Monkeys that he brought forth in the early nineties. The thing I liked most about this film is that your main star has to deal with his own problems, along with the biggest question in history, why are we here?  When someone does not care or have any feelings about their own life, how would they be able to answer the question, at least without the proper motivation.  Definitely a thinker movie and it should not be any other way, with a fantastic cast being led by Christoph Waltz and the direction of Terry Gilliam, it will keep you glued to the screen as you wonder where the black hole really is, in the soul or in our future.  Happy viewing.

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