Zero Patience
Zero Patience
NR | 26 March 1994 (USA)
Zero Patience Trailers

The ghost of "patient zero", who allegedly first brought AIDS to North America - materialises 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 organise an exhibition about the disease for the museum's "Hall of Contagion".

Reviews
Franco-LA

I've seen nearly all of John Greyson's films and shorts and enjoyed every single one of them; this was a film I was interested in seeing again and purchased the DVD once it became available, so I'm likely not the most unbiased reviewer. However, this enjoyment is based on the movies themselves, their audacious vision and the innate originality of the filmmaker, not from any personal connection to him or to anyone else who appeared in or worked on any of the films.Patient Zero is perhaps the original of his films because of the treatment of the subject matter. Unfortunately, this is also perhaps the films biggest failing: where the film appears most dated and reflects inaccurate information deals with both HIV and AIDS. However, despite this, the film merits viewing and is highly recommended because some of the subject matter (fear, mistrust, scientific and historical abuse versus education, etc.) are rendered intelligently and well, and in a highly unique and entertaining manner.Well worth renting and well worth repeated viewings.

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PlanNine

Zero Patience is provocative, engaging and indeed, an important film. It is an accessible way to be introduced to many issues regarding AIDS. However, this musical is never very engaging. The main fault of this is the music itself, which is dated and irking.The plot and characters of Zero Patience are involving enough. Too bad the rhythm of the film keeps getting interrupted by musical numbers that don't really seem to fit and are not very entertaining. These pieces fall flat in terms of conception and seem to want to be campier than they actually are.In summary: it's an important movie about AIDS that was sloppily conceived.

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W'wardHo

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.

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ButtNFly

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!

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