Zero Patience (1994)

Truly Dreadful Film

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Absolutely Brilliant!

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

The ghost of Zero - "patient zero", who allegedly first brought AIDS to Canada - materializes and tries to contact old friends. Meanwhile, the Victorian explorer Sir Richard Burton, who drank from the Fountain of Youth and now works as Chief Taxidermist at the Toronto Natural History Museum, is trying to organize an AIDS exhibition.The mainstream Austin Chronicle cited a "murky plot, frequently weak acting and often mediocre music" while still praising the film's "spunk, humor, enthusiasm and wit." This is pretty much it. The film itself is not very good, though you can see it was striving for something bigger and better. Then again, by having your lead be a time-displaced scientist, how seriously can we take it? The Washington Post compared Zero Patience unfavorably to Hollywood's big-budget, big-star AIDS-themed film, Philadelphia, claiming that the latter's protagonist, Andrew Beckett, "looked sick, dealt with his illness and allowed the audience to sympathize," unlike the "healthy hoofers" of the musical who, because they didn't look sick enough, seem "to deny some of the grim realities" of the disease. Now, I don't know that the two films can be compared, but I do agree that the film seemed to promote sexuality without accepting any of the negative aspects... dispelling the "patient zero" myth is a good thing, but it doesn't mean we can go back to our bad habits!

Zero Patience is a musical comedy about AIDS. Yet this wonderful film by Canadian indie-film making god, John Greyson, is more than it seems; Zero Patience tackles such subjects as homophobia, AIDS, the life of Sir Richard Francis Burton, and the ignorance that still exists about how AIDS came, and spread, through North America-- all wrapped up in a good old fashioned love story of boy meets boy. Instead of being preachy and dictating, Greyson captures the beauty of life, death and love, while expressing a powerful social message. All in a musical format which is all too often overlooked in the 90's, and brings back the movie-musical era of the 40's. It's funky soundtrack and colorful cast will entertain viewers from the opening credits. Zero Patience is quite possibly the most outrageous and original movie you will ever see.

You do NOT have to watch this film more than once to appreciate it (although it gets better every time)! The genius of Greyson is not just an acquired taste. "Zero Patience" is witty, rich, profound, and hilarious the first time you see it.

I saw this film a long time ago, and at the time, didn't get it at all. I am a firm believer of second chances. And I'm glad I did! Sure, the sets are bad, the lighting is off, and sometimes the dialog can get a little tiresome, but have you tried watching ANY musical more than a few times and NOT seen that? The music is actually fun. I bought the CD and have been listening quite a bit. It makes a whole different movie if you and actually understand what's being sung. Give it a shot, you won't fence post on this one. It's either a love or a hate. Basic Plot: The "first known case of HIV" comes back as a ghost to try and clear his name through the believed to be dead, Sir Richard Burton (The sex book guy, not Elizabeth's husband). It feels a lot like Lewis Carroll is in there when Miss HIV sings to Zero about his not being the first, but it's all wrapped up in a great package and brought lovingly to the screen by people who cared enough to actually make the film. Have fun!