What the Bleep Do We Know!? (2004)

33% of critics liked it
(75 reviews)
68% of users liked it
(21,220 ratings)

Part narrative, part documentary, and part animation, What the #$*! Do We Know?! was filmed with the intent of expressing the neurological processes and so called "quantum uncertainty" of life. With the help of a directorial triumvirate consisting of Betsy Chasse, William Arntz, and Mark Vicente,… More Part narrative, part documentary, and part animation, What the #$*! Do We Know?! was filmed with the intent of expressing the neurological processes and so called "quantum uncertainty" of life. With the help of a directorial triumvirate consisting of Betsy Chasse, William Arntz, and Mark Vicente, Marlee Matlin stars as Amanda, whose uninspired daily routine is abruptly altered into a chaotic, Alice in Wonderland-style reality, complete with quirky characters and wildly different perspectives on life. As Amanda falls deeper into the experience, she's forced to drastically reconsider her perceptions of interpersonal relationships, men, and the fundamental principles of life. What the #$*! Do We Know?! is supplemented by a host of mystics and scientists, who are interviewed intermittently throughout the film for their wisdom and knowledge concerning religion, science, the thin line between them, and the consequences of blurring that line. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 48 min.
Directed By: Betsy Chasse, Mark Vicente
Written By: Betsy Chasse, William Arntz, Matt Hoffman
Genres: Documentary, Drama, Faith & Spirituality, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Apr 23, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Mar 15, 2005
Studio: Lord of the Wind

Critic Reviews

Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
As an entryway into new ways of thinking about the self, the universe, and the vast infinite whatnot of whatever (you know what we mean, oh wise one), this little movie is big.
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
The film with the year's most unfortunate title also happens to be a candidate for the year's worst film.
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
A pretty good documentary.
John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
Sometimes What the #$*! Do We Know!? has the corny, ham-handed feel of an old 16mm educational movie, but I'm not sure how intentional this is.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Ultimately it's limited by its compulsion to knock our socks off at every turn and to compare itself with Alice in Wonderland.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
Two hours of New Age hooey.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
This documentary will either be a life-changing experience, or it'll drive you nuts with its new-agey tone.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Lumbering docudrama.
Sarah Chauncey, Reel.com
It deserves credit for trying.
David Cornelius, eFilmCritic.com
There are two minor problems with What the #$*!: it's bad science and it's a bad movie.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Ainda que interessante em sua metade inicial, quando fascina pela ausência de respostas, acaba desmoronando ao tornar-se um previsível manual de auto-ajuda.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

_kelly .

The theatrical cut of this movie is but a taste. If it stirs your interest, then you must rent/buy the extended version which includes hours of additional footage including interviews, graphical explanations, and dramatic sequences. A nice introductory documentary to the world of… More
The theatrical cut of this movie is but a taste. If it stirs your interest, then you must rent/buy the extended version which includes hours of additional footage including interviews, graphical explanations, and dramatic sequences. A nice introductory documentary to the world of quantum physics. Must see for anyone interested in science or philosophy, even if you are familiar with the topics, as the interviewees are fantastic and inject an enthusiastic quality to work as a successful facade for what is essentially a mashed-up (and atypically amusing) lecture.
Luke B

This film is so cheap and tacky how it expects to discuss it's theories on quantum physics is beyond me. With scenes of sex and some bad language it may seem like this film is aimed at adults. However we are also treated to CGI representation of lust singing Robert Palmers… More
This film is so cheap and tacky how it expects to discuss it's theories on quantum physics is beyond me. With scenes of sex and some bad language it may seem like this film is aimed at adults. However we are also treated to CGI representation of lust singing Robert Palmers 'Addicted to Love'. This film really is that wank. Represents theories as facts, and ties together some interesting interviews with a fictional sub-plot about some deaf woman which just happens to demonstarte everything being said. This is the same stuff you find in those self-help books but done in a much more patronizing manner. As entertainment it sucks, as a documentary it blows and as an enlightening doorway into a new vast realm of thought...it can fuck off.
Dean L

appreciate the fact that this movie tries to make the audience think, but the approach is terrible and condescending to say the least. These are not new concepts. These are rehashed efforts to explain the world through juvenile fantasy that pretends that the world is only what we… More
appreciate the fact that this movie tries to make the audience think, but the approach is terrible and condescending to say the least. These are not new concepts. These are rehashed efforts to explain the world through juvenile fantasy that pretends that the world is only what we know. This is a child's way of thinking. This is someone who is stuck in the concrete operational stage of development. I agree that reality is perception, but that is on the level of subjective experience. Anyone who has stepped outside of themselves will have encountered this manner of thought before. In addition, again-these are not novel ideas. If you have never quested outside of the conventional realm of thought you might find this interesting. If you have never done any self-study or study in the world of philosophy then this might be an introduction, but it is pedestrian to say the least(sorry to sound pompous), pedantic and misses the mark in its effort to teach (or bludgeon). I might also add that the presentation was terribly annoying with all of the flashing in and out. It was a chore to watch...and not because it makes you think. I might also add that it completely fudges the concepts in Quantum mechanics to meet its message. Check out "Waking Life" or "Mindwalk" if you want to provoke some real thought about life. You will find yourself far more fulfilled.
Dean M

It seems a fine documentary as I like Marlee Matlin who appears in that special interest film. (Disappointed it has no English substitles on DVD - that's impossible because it has support for the deaf culture including Marlee Matlin).
Michael G

A very interesting and well done documentary on quantum physics. The story that ties it together is pretty lame, but at the same time necessary.
Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]"What the Bleep Do We Know?" is a unique film that is a combined lecture by talking heads(identified in the closing credits) about quantum physics and biology in a rational universe and illustrations on how this connects into our everyday lives. This is… More
[font=Century Gothic]"What the Bleep Do We Know?" is a unique film that is a combined lecture by talking heads(identified in the closing credits) about quantum physics and biology in a rational universe and illustrations on how this connects into our everyday lives. This is represented by a photographer named Amanda(Marlee Matlin) living in Portland, Oregon. [/font] [font=Century Gothic] [/font] [font=Century Gothic]Basically, the movie is about the different paths we can follow in our lives.(It should be noted that films like "Double Life of Veronique" and "Run Lola Run" pretty much had the same message while avoiding the science lectures.) There are plenty of ideas here - some of which I have read about before while others just went completely over my head. In the end, this movie has one very significant flaw - the equation of medication with addiction which I completely disagree with. [/font]
meril l

Quite interesting. Some of the editing seemed pretty random, especially when they start talking about God for the second and third time. Some of the 'logic' seemed to make no sense to me, and when I looked it up apparently it was all 'hogwash,' so I guess it… More
Quite interesting. Some of the editing seemed pretty random, especially when they start talking about God for the second and third time. Some of the 'logic' seemed to make no sense to me, and when I looked it up apparently it was all 'hogwash,' so I guess it wasn't just me. Would have been much cooler if the entire scientific community didn't consider it to be pseudoscience, but it still gives you another way to look at the world and that's very important.
Eduardo C

TRASH TRASH TRASH TRASH TRASH. A purported documentary on quantum physics is actually a welcoming guide for a cult, in which physics have absolutely no bearing. This is truly pseudo-science at its worst. This is to physics what 'intelligent design' is to evolution: a non… More
TRASH TRASH TRASH TRASH TRASH. A purported documentary on quantum physics is actually a welcoming guide for a cult, in which physics have absolutely no bearing. This is truly pseudo-science at its worst. This is to physics what 'intelligent design' is to evolution: a non scientific posture presenting itself as a scientific effort to discredit its opponent. For the life of me I cannot understand why this was such a hit, but I imagine it was much like The Matrix: it makes people feel smart because it seemingly presents philosophical and scientific situations in a way they can understand it. Of course, it makes up pretty much everything it states and distorts what few scientific postures it uses but hey, it seems smart so it must be right. Bravo! I recommend everyone watch this and show it to their friends, at worst as a litmus test to see who is intelligent enough to see through the bullshit and at best as pure entertainment. The film is so fucking unintentionally hillarious that it must be seen to be believed.