What The Bleep Do We Know? aka WHAT THE #$*! DO WE KNOW?!

Watching What The Bleep…is similar to breathing rarified air. Just a few minutes into this film, it is evident Marlee Matlin is in control of her character, the directors are in control of a great script, and the graphical representations are up to the task of vividly communicating the emotional world of our intellects. The subjects of physics, behavior and thought patterns explored in this film are in the very least difficult, and usually impossible to convey in a manner that doesn’t make the viewer uncomfortable. Without seeming elitist, it also takes a fair stab at conveying the concept that we cannot ‘see,’ or comprehend, something we do not understand. Many consider this one problem of ‘point of view,’ to be key to our own cultural evolution. That said, as an intimate look at the private and personal histrionics and utter confusion we all call our inner selves, What The Bleep…is a cinematic work of art.

Rarely does one wander into a theatre to see a ‘movie’ and come out feeling they have seen one of the most important films of filmmaking history. The three (yes, 3) directors of What The Bleep… not only demonstrate their considerable talents in their various areas of expertise, they also bring new meaning to the somewhat overused concept of synergy. Together they did accomplish more than any of them had created previously, and that is saying something. Betsy Chasse, Producer, Director, Screenwriter, served as Production Manager on many films on her way to the top. As VP at Prosperity Pictures, she worked with major talent while producing important films. She went on to produce Extreme Days in 2000. She became involved with What The Bleep… and brought her skills to the table with two other filmmakers: William Arntz, Producer, Director, Screenwriter, President - Captured Light and Mark Vicente, Director, Director of Photography.

Arntz’s rather eclectic path through Buddhism, and then into the software game as a successful computer guru, along with a couple of passes on retirement, allows for a rather visionary, as well as philanthropic, approach to science, metaphysics and computer technology, impacting What The Bleep… with a spiritual tinge. Vicente’s attention to the color palettes and his powerful background in cinematography, combined with his own spiritual predilections, rounded out the team meant to create the high art that is What The Bleep…..

Seldom does one view a film combining so many elements of different genres, blending them in just the perfect amounts. For most filmmakers, it is difficult to convey a story with too much going on—they usually lose their way and we end up wondering where they were trying to go. In What The Bleep…, intense story lines, significant philosophies, talented actors, cutting edge graphics and educational, entertaining interviews swirl before our eyes in a feast of color, humor, fantasy and imaginings. Concepts upon which everyone dwells at one time and another—bouncing the viewer just enough to tease and confound—ebb and flow as a key element, which describes fairly accurately how it feels to watch this film.

The story starts up in a deliberately confusing rush of information about the main character, Amanda, portrayed masterfully by Marlee Matlin (Children Of A Lesser God, West Wing, etc) who is joined by several other veteran actors: Barry Newman, Elaine Hendrix, Armin Shimerman, Robert Bailey, Jr., and John Ross Bowie. To elaborate on the more difficult or challenging metaphysical concepts, graphical vignettes dazzle with color and action, while the idea plays out in each one so much more thoroughly than even the cleverest dialogue could ever portray in the same amount of time. With a story line playing over the ‘graphical explanations,’ most viewers would consider themselves fortunate if the whole thing didn’t muddle into a massive wrong turn—therefore, when the interviews, documentary style, are added into the stream of thought, one is sure the film is set to careen off where we don’t want to go or has the markings of a head-on collision with too many genres and too ambitious of a presentation.

Right about then, is when you know the filmmakers gave considerable thought to exactly what they are attempting to convey with their approach. The story, the documentary, the graphics and the overall theme of choice, wonder and the grandeur of life are playing out very tightly, elucidating a nearly overwhelming cascade of metaphysics, science, philosophy and joie de vivre. Then would also be when you know you must see the whole movie again, just to pull it all into context, let alone enjoy it with the level of pleasure intended by these three tricksters…kudos of tremendous gratitude to all of them.

William Arntz apparently backed What the Bleep…, as Captured Light, which is listed as presenting this collaboration. Add in Chasse and Bowie’s talent, inspiration and skill and you find the title of their group, ‘Lord Of The Wind’ as an appropriate company name. We can only ask they stay together and do a sequel, maybe What The Bleep Do We Do Next?

Note: There is a world map on their web site, to help you find a theatre close to you. Samuel Goldwyn / Roadside Attractions picked up their distribution and is opening up the map considerably, and will continue, hopefully, to do so until What The Bleep… is in your area. http://www.whatthebleep.com/ has a wealth of tidbits to hold you until it does come to your town.

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