If it feels like we’ve been waiting a long time for Terry Gilliam’s latest, The Zero Theorem, that’s because when you’re eagerly anticipating a new Gilliam film, time seems to stretch. And also because we’ve been hearing about it via festivals such as Venice and the film’s quick stop at last year’s Comic-Con. Now, however, the full trailer has arrived.
Theorem sees Christoph Waltz as Qohen Leth, a low-level genius programmer for “entity crunching” corporation ManCom. Obsessively waiting for a phone call that will change his life, he’s constantly befuddled by the world around him but also tempted by the beautiful Bainsley (Melanie Thierry).
Boasting several cameos (including one from a bizarrely-coiffed Matt Damon), Gilliam has said he wants the film to be something different from what’s generally on offer, which instantly feels right up his alley.
“Hopefully, it’s unlike any film you have seen recently; no zombies, no caped crusaders or alien spacecraft. Actually, I might have lied about that last item,” he jokes in his director’s statement. “Having not worked with a budget this small for several decades, I was forced to work fast and instinctively, pressured only by time and money. We relied on the freedom to spin on a dime, to make outrageous creative leaps. The results surprised even me. I’m proud to have been part of The Zero Theorem.”
We’ll finally get to see the fruit of his labours on March 14, though US audiences are still hanging in limbo to hear when it’ll arrive over there.