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Computer programmer Simon J. (Jeremy Sisto) is behind in his work, repeatedly being asked for his code through video monitors in his downtrodden apartment. He’s isolated himself enough to regularly order-in from his delivery service friend (Eugene Byrd) which always includes an order of milk (perhaps for a ulcer he’s developed.)

One morning a wrapped brown package appears inside his apartment. When he opens it, he finds nothing inside. And it won’t be the last one he discovers. What’s the meaning of the packages? More importantly, who is putting them there and how are they getting into his apartment? Is this some bizarre practical joke by Barton Fink?

Maybe it’s the bizarre neighbor (Bruce Payne) who likes to make S&M films. Or the other bizarre neighbor (Udo Kier) creating a robot babyface head? Is the beautiful Trish (Deborah Kara Unger) out to love him or destroy him? And what did happen to that man in the elevator whose pores seemed to be experiencing a compression problem? Maybe his friend, Howard (Lance Henriksen) has more knowledge than he’s letting on.

One Point O does a wonderful job in establishing its minimalist palettes and an enveloping sense of a societal setting we wouldn’t care to live amongst. Problem is, it just keeps establishing it. Scene after scene is filled with the surroundings dominating the characters who mostly walk around confused and whispering. The clues to the greater picture are carefully dropped and when everyone finally gets around to it, we go “ohhhh” just like the rest of them and begin applying it to our present world. But it’s such an evocative concept that we wish we had just seen an entire movie exploring it instead of making everyone play catch up.

Renfroe and Thorsson’s ideas can’t even be discussed here without hinting at or spoiling the big revelation. I don’t even believe its fair for the tagline and plot outline at IMDB to do so. One Point O’s exploration of man’s association to the technological universe has its share of fascination. Our paranoia of computer viruses and how we’re inundated with corporate (and private) spam and pop-up ads haunt us even further after the film’s finale. It’s just disappointing that the narrative couldn’t have incorporated it into the first act where the hero’s suspicion could have turned both satirical and terrifying in the Brazil-like way they were likely influenced by. As minimalist science-fiction goes, One Point O isn’t bad, its just a little too minimalist.

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originally posted: 02/05/04 13:33:39
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