Flawed near-masterpiece box office dud

Rating: 9/10 (15 November 2015)

Beautifully directed, photographed, edited, and, mostly acted, "Mr. Nobody" is testimony to how even the best films prospects can be destroyed by horrendous marketing. While "Mr. Nobody" may be an accurate title, it is a horrible title for a movie of such scope and accomplishment. Perhaps the horrid title is why only a few US theaters played this movie, returning only a few thousand dollars on a film which cost $47M. Fortunately, streaming video makes it possible to see this flawed near-masterpiece. In fact, I saw the theatrical version as part of the Netflix streaming package; and the director's cut, which addresses all but one of what I consider "flaws" is available on Amazon streaming. My only criticism of both versions is the casting of Diane Kruger as the adult "Anna". Juno Temple, an adult actress who plays juvenile roles, is, again, world class, with the intensity needed for the pivotal "Anna". On the other hand, Diane Kruger, lacks both Ms. Temple's intensity and disproportionately large breasts, which makes it pretty hard to believe she is the same character. Better that Temple be aged with makeup or digitally. Nonetheless, "Mr. Nobody" emerges as one my Top 20 all-time favorite films. I give "Mr. Nobody" a "9".