Life seen from another angle - the greatness we don't understand

Rating: 10/10 (16 September 2012)

What have we done to deserve this? That's what this is about! It rises questions, without giving all the answers. This is not for the ones seeking action, Star Wars or those wanting light entertainment together with a six pack of beers. This is for the ones wanting something for the mind to chew on, and who is able to accept a story not following the Hollywood model storyline, maybe with a glass of fine wine. So then you're warned. I love all kinds of movies, but only at the right time. You gotta chose film after what you feel like watching.
Mr. Nobody is fabulous filmmaking about choices and coincidences in life. The opportunity taken, the opportunity lost. To be able to be there when it counts, to be in time, and to reach the train before it leaves the platform. About seizing the moment. About what we decide we are, and do. About the choices we make, or don't make, all life through. About the choices we should have made, or the choices we don't get to make, or that others do for us. How small choices affect our life's, and natures way, like in the butterfly effect.
It's also about what we remember, or are able to remember or forget. About time, about predictions and sentimentality, the longing for things like they were. Like we remembered them. About love and relationships, how we meet, and how we interact. It's also about different stages in life, aging and age-differences, and about feeling different and sometimes scared. About saying things are different than they really are. Why is it so difficult to know each other? Why do we fall in love? Why do we survive some accidents, and others not. About reality, and losing it, and maybe even regaining it... Too how big extent do we decide what we chose to remember. What did really happen? We're going in and out of life as a dream and a difficult situation.
Nemo is different from the rest of us. He wasn't touched by the angel's finger on his lips before coming to Earth, and remembers what should be forgotten. He understands and remembers more than the rest of us, and is also going to be older. We meet him thinking back, being 118 years old. But on the other hand he is also more confused, and understands less than us. About the reality and the fantasy we're dependent on in life. About what we see, and what we don't. He can also see into the future. He is both a nerd, and a common youngster, growing up. He is incredible.
This film ask questions. What do you see when you are looking at me? Are we what we look like? Why aren't we what we feel we are. Why do we have troubles accepting aging? Well, all this runs through my mind when watching this fabulous movie. It's all right up there where I want a philosophical film to be. A film about the greatness in life, which we don't understand.
What Nemo does in this film, is showing us how life is never just the way you plan it, and that the troubles ahead in life, can have a reason, though maybe one you don't understand. I'll bear this film in mind when I see a tramp or a woman citing insane. It's most certainly not of their own choice, but it ended up this way, anyway...
Belgian Jaco van Dormael has been working for 13 years on this film, and this is truly amazing on all levels. The soundtrack is out of your dreams. All the actors do a great job, and I've never seen Jared Leto better. A perfect cast for this film. His eyes are almost a necessity to this film. Nemo is a allegory for Jules Verne's captain Nemo, trying to find the mysteries of life under water. Nemo is afraid of water, but still under it a lot of time. Ne mo is originally taken from Latin - nobody. You could also perhaps see this backwards as an Omen?
What have the filmmakers done to deserve that not so many more went to see this in the cinemas? Well, make it right. Set off time, without any interruptions. Turn your phone off, turn your life off for a couple of hours, and drift into the world of Mr. Nobody.
The film is better for those who have lived for some years, as it is brutally honest. Still there's much life wisdom for youngsters to get here. But you better not be too young! It's a true gem! Absolutely amazing filmmaking! Thanks for making this! A future classic!