Mr. Nobody (2009) – Film Reel Reviews

A movie that is both simple and complex but it ends with a perfect point. – Will

In a world where death has been cured, Mr. Nobody stands as the last human who will die from old age. A reporter tries to get him to remember his life but it seems very confused.

Written and Directed by – Jaco Van Dormael

Starring – Jared Leto, Sarah Polley, Diane Kruger, Linh Dan Pham, Rhys Ifans, Natasha Little, Toby Regbo, Juno Temple, Clare Stone, Thomas Byrne, Audrey Giacomini, Laura Brumagne, Allan Corduner, Daniel Mays, Michael Riley, Emily Tilson, Roline Skehan, Anders Morris, Pascal Duquenne, Noa De Costanzo, Robin Carette, Lea Thonus, Anais Van Belle

If there is one thing that I’ve always tried to do, it’s to live my life without any regret. When you’re satisfied with where you are in life, how can you possibly look back and wish you’d done something differently. You just wouldn’t be where you are today if you had. Mr. Nobody may take that idea even further but explaining why would totally ruin everything the movie has going for it. Even a very brief little synopsis that I had read somewhere ruined the entire idea of the film, although it didn’t ruin the point thankfully. It can be very difficult to understand and some viewers may just be annoyed at the strange way the film is arranged but it all pays off in the end.

Jared Leto is Nemo Nobody. He awakens as a very old man, 118 I believe it was, in a future where nobody dies from old age because of stem cell treatments and other breakthroughs. Mr. Nobody will be the final person in the world to die of old age and it’s all on television. Late one night a reporter manages to sneak into Nemo’s room at the hospital and gets him to tell the story of his past. That’s probably the easiest explanation without revealing too much about the overall plot of the movie. It’s also hard to nail down a synopsis because of the film itself. Things just don’t make sense and memories seem to overlap each other or even take place at the same time. The reporter is basically playing the role of us, the viewer. He randomly (very randomly thankfully) pops up to question Nemo about the confusing nature of his memory. It’s hard to rely on a 118 year old man to give a story that makes sense though!

Jared Leto does a great job as Mr. Nobody.

Jared Leto plays the part of Mr. Nobody quite well and he winds up having to play it differently over and over again. As Nemo recalls moments in his life, the character of Nemo changes. Sometimes he’s soft-spoken and caring, other times he’s lonely and desperate. He falls in love or finds he can’t love at all but every step of the way Leto creates a character that is believable. Another fine performance comes from Toby Regbo as a 16-year-old Nemo. A lot of the story involves him as the younger Nemo and he does an amazing job as a teenager trying to deal with some very odd circumstances.

As the love interests in Nemo’s life, Sarah Polley as Elise and Diane Kruger as Anna tend to steal the show. Both women seem damaged in their own way, although Polley takes it to another level compared to Kruger. While Polley may have the more outrageous character, it was Kruger as Anna that I enjoyed the most. Honestly, revealing too much about the parts they play is only going to ruin everything here.

There's going to be moments in the film that just don't make sense.

The film can be almost as visually confusing as it is mentally. It feels very rich and full and with each different memory existing in a world all its own it can be overwhelming at times. From scenes in the country to bustling cities, you’ll be taken on quite the journey. Sometimes it’s very dreamy and sometimes realistic. Other times the two worlds seem to blend together and you’re left wondering what’s really going on. In the end it all pays off and makes sense, sort of! I’m not totally sold on the ending but the message that is delivered is a powerful one and it’s something that should be applied to everyone’s life. It may not make complete sense but it should be able to generate some conversation on the films meaning and will at least get your brain chugging along as it tries to unravel its mystery.

Under the marquee – Will