Zero Charisma | Katie Graham and Andrew Matthews | October 11th, 2013
Return of the Nerds? For a Jedi does not seek revenge. In a changing whirlwind of internet-fueled popular culture, a strong paradigm shift has turned the tables on a fringe social group. Their first directorial debut, Katie Graham and Andrew Matthews have previously collaborated on the documentaries The American Scream (2012) and Best Worst Movie (2009). Zero Charisma is an entirely honest look into the zeitgeist of geek, but does it work as a separate piece of fiction?
Scott Weidemeyer, played by Sam Edison, is the author of his own tabletop RPG, as the basic Dungeons & Dragons ruleset is too casual. Plagued by obesity, underemployment, and a less than ideal living situation, he exists in an alternate reality where he is in control. The entire film is character-driven, and Scott is truly the gamemaster. His character is brilliantly written, well enough that you think you’re watching the life of just one person, and fittingly so. Feeling he has been cast aside by society, he is quick to blame others for his shortcomings and experiences delusions of grandeur. The microcosm is burst when life presents Scott with a nemesis.
Enter Miles, a twenty-something “neo nerd” hipster. Donning a cardigan and Crystal Castles tee, he shakes up the world of the recluse adventurers by bringing a dose of cool to the table. Portrayed by Garrett Graham, Miles has everything Scott secretly covets. He’s attractive, likable, has a girlfriend, and most of all is capable of holding his own in the game. He is repeatedly challenged about his geek efficacy, but passes with flying colors on all counts.
While Zero Charisma does have a situational plot, it’s not too thrilling or intriguing…but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Historically speaking, most movies about nerds end up as shallow portrayals and resort to cliché humor to catch the audience. At some point, this becomes insufferable and, really, absurd. There are a few laughs to be had here, and most of them have you questioning just how depraved you are to get the references. They aren’t jokes, Scott is just an unintentionally funny guy, and much of this is sold by Edison’s believable acting. His quiet moments alone end up bringing a smile, juxtaposing his rigid personality with one totally engrossed in fantasy. Zero has much deeper emotions than humor to instill, and much deeper philosophical material to dissect.
Scott and Miles are representations of two next-door social cliques. There once existed a time, not so long ago, when “nerds” were basically separated from mainstream society. You can argue forever over what the exact qualifications are, but generally someone who is obsessive about an intellectually-involved hobby won’t be the homecoming king. Science fiction, high fantasy, computers, collections, anime…the list goes on. Frequent ridicule by classmates and peers over generations further alienated them, allowing an entire cultural movement to flourish untainted. With the explosion of the internet age, the pod doors were blown off, and suddenly the unpopular turned into pop-culture. Shows like The Big Bang Theory have trivialized and caricatured it, and some have felt that their very true passions have been exploited for the entertainment of others. Life has no gamemaster, it’s an ever adjusting path of people, places, and things. So does a subculture actually belong to anyone?
You can choose one way or the other, but what about other individuals who suddenly find access to new interests? Scott feels that Miles is a tourist, that his interest in tabletop gaming is just another fad to follow, the latest “hip” thing. His frustration with reality is entirely relatable and surprises the viewer with some intensely emotional moments. It suggests that the hatred against the tourist is actually a personal hatred in disguise, which is something nobody ever wants to admit to themselves. Your perception of Scott constantly changes from hero to antihero, and potentially to villain, too. It’s not just a series of scenes that form a plot, it’s the real life of a frustrated man. That is where this film flourishes, in it’s accurate portrayal of human life. Things that happen to someone else might seem trivial and meaningless, but it’s often very true to that person themselves. This entire battle culminates in the climax, when the truth is revealed and our nemeses engage in a final duel.
Zero Charisma might not resonate with all audiences, but it doesn’t need to. It’s a smart, bold film that isn’t afraid of testing the viewer’s conscience. It gets you exiting the theater thinking about yourself and your own actions. The underlying message casts broadly across the entire spectrum of culture, not just the freaks and geeks, and can be learned from. No matter what social circle you subscribe to, just remember to actually enjoy your time instead of caring why others enjoy it.
Rating: 7.5/10
Zero Charisma is in limited release, as well as available to stream on Amazon Video, iTunes, and many On Demand services.
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