Mr. Nobody

Plot synopsis:
In 2092, humanity has conquered mortality through the endless renewal of cells. The world watches in fascination as the 118-year-old Nemo Nobody, the last mortal on Earth, edges towards death. Curious to know of life before quasi-immortality, they interview Nemo. Dr. Feldheim, a psychiatrist, uses hypnosis to help Nemo recall some of his memories, while Nemo relates other memories to a journalist. As he is prodded, Nemo makes contradictory statements. He recounts his life at three primary points: at age 9, when his parents divorced, at age 15 when he fell in love, and at age 34 as an adult. All three unfold into their many possible outcomes.
Nemo explains that before birth, children remember everything that will happen in their lives. At the moment of conception, the Angels of Oblivion erase their memory. The Angels, however, forget about Nemo, allowing him to "remember" different possible futures for himself. At age 9, at a railway station, he is forced to choose as his mother leaves on a train while his father stays on the platform. In one case, he manages to board the train while in another he stays with his father.
=== Life with mother ===
A rebellious Nemo lives with his mother and her new partner, Harry, in Montreal. He sees a new girl, Anna, in his school and is immediately smitten. One day on the beach, Anna asks if he would like to swim with her and her friends. Nemo insults her friends and they barely see each other again.
In an alternate story line, Nemo admits to Anna he cannot swim; the two spend time together and fall in love. Anna turns out to be Harry's daughter and the two step siblings begin an illicit affair. They pledge their lives to one another. When Harry and Nemo's mother break up, Anna goes to New York with her father, and they lose touch. Years later, Nemo works as a pool cleaner, hoping to run into Anna by chance. They finally see one another at the train station and immediately recognize each other in a crowd of passers-by. After a passionate reunion, Anna announces she is not ready to immediately resume the relationship. She gives him her number, asks him to call her in two days and meet at the lighthouse. However, he loses her number when a sudden downpour makes her note illegible. Nemo waits at the lighthouse every day, but Anna does not come.
In a different storyline, Anna and Nemo are married with children. Nemo works at a television studio narrating educational videos. One evening, while returning home, he hits a bird, loses control of his car, plummets into a lake and drowns.
=== Life with father ===
Nemo stays with his father, who later becomes disabled. He works in a shop and spends his free time at home at the typewriter, writing a science fiction story about a journey to Mars. At a school dance, he meets Elise and falls in love. A few days later, Nemo goes to Elise's house but sees her with her 22-year-old boyfriend. Frustrated, he speeds away on his motorcycle, has an accident and is hospitalized in a vegetative state. Though he can perceive the world through his senses, Nemo cannot move or speak. He detects his parents' reunion at his bedside. Nemo tries to remember the movement of his fingers on the typewriter keyboard and eventually manages to lift a finger as this story line comes to a close.
In yet another alternate timeline, Nemo speaks with Elise at her house, and learns that she is still in love with her boyfriend, Stefano. Nemo does not back down and keeps assuring her of his feelings. Finally, Elise gives in and a few years later, they get married. In one version of the story line, Elise dies in an accident on the return from the wedding. Nemo keeps her ashes, having promised her to spread them on Mars. In a far future, Nemo carries Elise's ash to Mars and spreads them on the planet's surface. Aboard the spacecraft traveling back to Earth, he meets Anna. Before they can say much to each other, the ship is destroyed by meteoroids. In an alternate version of events, he works at the same television studio but his assistant drowns instead. The assistant's widow is Anna, whom he recognizes. Another storyline has Nemo and Elise married with three children. However, their marriage is unhappy as Elise suffers from borderline personality disorder and chronic depression. She has attacks of hysteria and, despite Nemo's attempts to save their marriage, ultimately leaves him to pursue Stefano.
Alternatively, after being rejected by Elise, Nemo resolves to marry the first girl who will dance with him at the school prom. That night, he dances with Jeanne. While taking her home, Nemo pledges to marry her and be successful. Despite being successful and have two children, Nemo is unhappy and bored with his life. Nemo writes over all his possessions to Jeanne and leaves his family. Now making all of his decisions randomly via coin toss, he goes to the airport, and pretends to be a passenger named Daniel Jones and is taken to a hotel by a waiting chauffeur. At Jones' hotel room, Nemo is murdered while taking a bath, and his body is dumped in the woods.
Running throughout all the many paths his life could take or has taken, the adult Nemo recurringly awakens in a surrealistic world dominated by argyle patterns. This setting seems artificial, like a movie set, and often appears to bleed over into his other lives. Following clues that he finds scattered throughout this city, he ultimately arrives at a crumbling, abandoned wooden-framed house. He stumbles upon a DVD player hooked up to a television screen. In the strangely interactive video, the 118-year-old Nemo converses with the 34-year-old one. He explains that the younger man does not exist. This is a universe where Nemo Nobody was never born, and his consciousness is stuck in some sort of limbo. He states that he is experiencing the story from the end and that he must stay alive until 5:50 AM on 12 February 2092.
=== Epilogue ===
Before his death, Mr. Nobody tells the journalist that neither of them exist. They are figments in the mind of the 9-year-old Nemo at the train station, as he was forced to make an impossible choice. The young boy tries to find the correct decision, following each choice to its conclusion. Eventually, the boy takes a third option: to not make the choice at all. He leaves both parents and runs away towards an unknown future. This ambiguous choice somehow leads to him and Anna reuniting happily. The film returns to old Nemo on his death bed. The calculated time arrives and Mr. Nobody's last words are watched by the world. The expansion of the universe comes to a halt and time appears to reverse. The universe ceases to dissipate, and finally begins contracting. Consequently, Nemo's life simplifies itself. He is able to return to his childhood, watch his parents get back together and be with Anna. The 118-year-old man cackles triumphantly as he springs back into awareness with the realization that his younger self has finally found his one true love and life.

Tags: murder, cult, alternate reality, psychedelic, philosophical, romantic, storytelling

Review:
There were laugh out loud moments during a movie with themes concerning choice, destiny, and metaphysics.I was enamoured by the love story, it was feel good without being Hollywood.The visuals were amazing.
Any movie with "Mr. Sandman" and "Where is my mind?" is alright by me.The movie was extremely imaginative, original, funny, and will probably have me thinking about it and my own life for days after viewing..
I could go on and on about the things I loved about this film but there's nothing right now that I would recommend seeing more to a person of any age, sex or taste in cinema.
This is the first time I have felt the need to post a review of a film, but the experience that this movie provided was so unique and profoundly moving that I feel compelled to post something of my thoughts.I have just finished watching Mr Nobody after knowing nothing about the movie beforehand (perhaps a good thing as I may have avoided it otherwise), but was simply astonished by the originality, cinematography, acting, script, soundtrack and profoundly thought provoking ideas.I realise that this film will not be to everyones taste, certainly I think it will not be fully comprehended by the younger generation as it does require a certain lifetime of experiences to relate, such as birth, love, marriage, children, separation, divorce, death, life changing choices etc.., but nevertheless it does make you deeply consider your own past decisions and future choices, and everyone of all ages will have made and will make these decisions.The production values are very high and would not look out of place in a 'hollywood blockbuster' but it is the mix of cinematography and music mingled with the dramatic scenarios that make it truly memorable.It is a difficult film to describe as it does not follow a traditional narrative structure, but that is what makes it so unique and truly memorable.
I think people who like to analyze films would have a field day with this one although it's possible they would nitpick on the borrowed elements.
I don't think it's for everyone, mostly because of its non-linear structure, but those who appreciate unconventional films like Brazil, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Vanilla Sky or Big Fish should be quite pleased.
Like other surreal movies, Peter Jacksons "The Lovely Bones", and "Synechdohe: New York" "Dr. Parnassus", "Micmacs"- these dreamlike and "difficult" films must be terribly expensive to produce and I ask myself how can the companies go through with these productions?
Throughout the entire movie, we are shown various little science facts and theories, all making no sense in the contexts, and making impression like a late night 2 hours google search put into movie to add to the overall "credibility".There's a great love story in the movie, which resembles Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and really improves the experience, but unfortunately it's just one of many plots.
It is the cacophony of ideas that makes the movie appear philosophical, but only in a way similar to how a carnival magician shows a coin and then makes it disappear, leaving you thinking about how he pulled it off and not about the coin itself.The unnecessarily stretched plot runs into over two hours without really needing to.
a (zest) of humour (preferably irony).van Dormael produces this wonderful cocktail with such dexterity that one is left both satisfied and wanting more!As with any good cocktail, this one should appeal to many and allow for repeated consumption (viewing) due to the wide range of qualities that can be appreciated, be they cinematical or simply philosophical.I might be missing one or two ingredients, but before I give away any more and spoil your drink, if you haven't seen Mr. Nobody yet, go see it with Anybody and make sure to talk about it with Everybody, or at least with Somebody.Cheers!.
After watching it in all of its two hour and thirty minute glory, I now feel an inane displeasure, akin to what I can only assume as having my frontal lobe stabbed with an ice pick.Before I review the things I disliked about this movie, let me tell you about the things it got right.
The alternate realities that Nemo experienced, while varied, did not justify the huge expenditure of time devoted them, nor did I feel like they moved the movie along in any significant way.
The storytelling was so fragmented that I was unable to feel any connection between Nemo and his many loves and even less for his children which were so insignificant they just felt like filler and could have been left out of the movie completely.
The movie aimed high trying to captivate the viewer in parallel realities, immortality, quantum mechanics and good old fashioned space exploration, but failed at the basics of storytelling and proper editing..
In this very long, very beautifully photographed, labyrinthine semi-science fiction epic a very old person remembers his life in a very muddled way and we are presented with alternative stories of what (really?) happened.
I forget) where the hero must prove his eternal love for this woman yet again or some such desperate crap, my partner and I realised we had been well and truly had.This epic Ship Of Fail, this marvel of 'We Forgot To Write It First'ness, has:* No story* No moral* No ending* No great big reveal* No thinking beyond the depth of early high-school 'philosophy'* No ending* Nothing at all to say, really* Did we mention it never ends?
Especially irritating are the long and repetitive love story and people walking backwards to depict the reversal of time (apparently, the director thinks his audience are idiots).This movie is one of those with a pretense of being artsy and significant, and many people take the bait, as they always do.I hope this review will enable *YOU* not to..
The creators of this film must have thought "Let's make a movie for people to watch while on drugs!" Unfortunately I did not have any on hand..
In conclusion, the movie had a lot of potential in its basic premise, visuals and cinematography but wasted it all mainly on a boring unfocused love story and mixing elements which does not correlate to each other in any meaningful way..
I lost track of how many parallel lives the main character was remembering, and as far as I could tell, it was never really explained how he could be aware of so many parallel universes, but those are minor points in a film that seeks to bring up ideas to be pondered.
First off all of the music in this movie is amazing i will by the soundtrack asap and the visual styling of the movie are reminiscent of pushing daisies at times but it just all fits together so perfectly this is for sure a movie that anyone can enjoy men, women, young, and old or especially for someone who just smoked a big blunt or took a drop of acid.
It is a goddamn head confusing movie.It did hurt my brain while I'm watching it.The movie explains to us how many differences and obstacles could be in our lives.You can't predict it.You can't know unless it happens.You have to make a choice to move on.And you have to move on...But our ends will be one.Whatever we choose , we can't change it.It is worth to spend some couple of hours for think over it.
And at the space between two scenes must have some little effects or add some little more time,otherwise it can be a pain in the sweet heaven's ass.Actors and Actresses are splendid , talented and well chosen.The story is holy wicked.Absolutely blew my mind away from goddamn Milky Way.Actually it is not 'a' story..It's kind of couple of stories getting mixed up professionally.I Loved the movie.Thanks..
Every single element of this film is amazing: the sets, the sound design, the soundtrack, the cinematography, the special effects, the acting, the plot, the in-universe mythology; everything comes together to make this film AMAZING and I had to watch it twice to catch everything I had missed before.
The story the elderly Mr Nobody tells is the different choices he may have made in his lifetime showing the various scenarios or possibilities this man could have lived given the choices he made, but he ended up saying the only real choice is for love and happiness.
I don't normally like when unoriginal music is used in movies but when it's done with the precision and care that it was here it works out extremely well.Every character is cast perfectly and each give incredible performances.
I think some could relate it to "Inception" because it deals with some similar themes that question reality and just the fact that it can be so incredibly confusing!The way I perceived myself and reality changed after I watched this movie.
Their presence was mildly confusing or perhaps irritating but probably added just a little bit more of the unknown into the whirling mass of possibilities in life that 'Mr Nobody' attempts to present.I liked this film and will probably watch it again sometime.
And where did that come from?You will get confused and you will smile sometimes and that is what i like in a movie, when it gets you wondering: What's next?I am going to recommend this movie to a lot of people and i will tell them to watch it at least 2 times because i will and that is the beauty of a movie when you can see it many times and still find it interesting and fun!.
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.
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.
In all 3lives and in Age 118, he did a pretty fantastic job but I did feel like that Jared Leto is a Pretty man and looks gorgeous on screen with his blue eyes but if the director would have chosen some seasoned actor that movie could have gotten great recognition, actually more then its receiving.
I watch again, again and again each time i understand other thing about movie.
Mr. Nobody is a movie that really makes you think; think about life, think about love, and think about possibilities.
A beautiful movie with great message and theories on dreams, deja vus mixing it with the amazing quantum physics science and ultimately the meaning of life(s)..
The point of this movie was, without a doubt, to make yourself think about the different possibilities of this deep question about everything we know.
It felt just a little rushed for me, but definitely not a deal-breaker.The dialogue, acting, etc etc was excellent (Tony Regbo I think his name is, Juno Temple and the actress who played Elise were all fantastic), but the cinematography and just the whole concept of it is what makes this film a class above the rest.Overall, a gem.
Simply put; the story line is all over the place,trying to be clever and that makes it an awful watch.I have to say a lot of afford was put in for the production of this movie and the spacial effects are quite impressive but it fails in many other areas, especially in the plot as it has many loose ends.
I would not like to waste any more of my time with this film by going into flaws of this movie individually as it would take pages of typing.If you have 2.5 hours to waste be my guest..
This movie will truly change how you think about life, it deserves a spot in the future.
I love movies that makes me think, that make me confused and invite me to watch them again to understand more.
First watched at 4am during an emotional time, this film has changed the way I make decisions, and made me think more deeply about myself and those around me.
This film is vastly underrated, and is incredibly enjoyable to watch if you have a quick wit, a little knowledge about Quantum Physics, and a lot of time to think afterwards..
The cinematography, photography, special effects were as good as needed.The film affects the viewer in a lot of different ways with a plethora of feelings, and a lot to contemplate.Definitely recommended..
I thought this was going to be a good movie but it was not.The idea is great (120 year old last mortal looks back at his life and his choices), the scenes are beautiful in isolation, but the makers oversaw something vital.Effects like slow motion, flashbacks and scene hopping can be nice, when used sparingly, as needed.
I suppose the director was totally focused on the scenes on itself, thinking WOW this looks great, but he forgot that a movie is not just about pasting nice scenes after one another.In Mr Nobody we jump from scene A to C to B to Z and every scene is full of effects and even more jumps in time.
Virtually every scene has been meticulously reconstructed and re-interpreted from "That's So Raven," a fact easily concealed because almost no black characters inhabit the film.I am glad to bestow upon this movie my highest 10 star recommendation if for no other reason than Jaco Van Dormael's under-appreciated genius simply demands it..
Your mind is just so filled at the end of the movie ,you probably will need some time to get normal , because you have been watching so many scenes .
Recently I have watched the movie Mr. Nobody, and probably never had so many feelings and emotions after watching films.
The film made me think about many things, especially how strong a little thing can change the entire life, and how often we have to make choices.
The movie might seem to be unclear and strange, but this makes the film so great.
I recommend to spend two hours of your time and watch this great film..
you wouldn't watch inception after a long day at work though.That being said it's hands down the best film I've seen in years - It feels a little bit like everything inception could have been (in terms of the philosophical questions raised and general screwing with your mind a bit), but wasn't as Inception was designed for a much wider audience.
If you're expecting an absolute ending that's tied up with a little bow you will be disappointed.It looks at the way choices can affect your life and follows Nemos thought process at different points of the film..
While it is impossible to show all the possibilities, the movie did it best to show as much as possible in the time frame it had without getting too crammed up or rushed.Jared Leto plays the lead and gives a great performance, not surprisingly.
Jared Leto's stellar performance, the unique (and at times confusing) premise, and the stories told throughout are just some of the highlights.The film opens in the year 2092, as 118 year old Nemo Nobody is the last living mortal on earth.
At first, the contradictions can be extremely confusing to the viewers (as well as those interviewing 118 year old Nemo), but before long you learn to accept it as a part of the movie's commentary on the impact the choices we make can have on our lives, and by the end of the movie, one can make sense of the contradictions.Ultimately, Mr. Nobody is anchored by outstanding performances by Jared Leto, Toby Regbo, and Juno Temple, while the rest of the cast contributes performances that range from good to great.
I found myself thinking on the various subjects that the film touches on as the movie played out.
The acting is top notch, especially Jared is great.I won't spoil to much of the story, but I recommend that you see this movie with an open mind, and don't try to make sense of everything that happens.
In the first 20 minutes I thought about switching it off but then it got better and better.I really like Jared Leto as an actor and I think he did a great job in playing Nemo.The soundtrack is nice too.
It put me into a good mood.I highly recommend watching Mr. Nobody if you're looking for a compelling movie that will stay in your mind for some time..
A filmmaker once said "we don't go to the movies to think we go there to feel", i gotta say that's so true only in this film it makes you both feel and think at the same time.
I won't be going to say anything about the plot because if i start to talk about it i'll never finish, but this film can really make you think about a lot of things through it's themes like Love, death, destiny...in fact it makes you think of life itself.
Just like my favourite movie, Requiem For a Dream, I'll have the most people watch this as possible and I, myself, can't wait to revisit this gem.
I think somebody just made the movie of my life....
Loved It. I finally had the opportunity to watch this incredible film where Jared Leto, once again, amazed me with his great acting abilities.
The end is likely to leave you feeling flat and unrewarded for the time you have invested in the film.
I just saw this movie, and for you that might have not seen it yet i should tell and thus recommend you to fasten to your seat because the film will take you out there, on an amazing joyride of stories all mixed-up, building up a great plot about a man that has an odd and unique life experience ,and how this life might get completely changed by his own decisions ,in choosing what he wants to do with it.