IMDb >
No Such Thing (2001)
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsNo Such Thing (2001) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 26 | slideshow) | Videos (see all 3) |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Hal Hartley (written by)
Release Date:
15 November 2002 (Iceland)
more
Tagline:
A modern day fable.
Plot:
"No Such Thing" tells the story of a young journalist who journeys to Iceland to find her missing fiancée only to encounter a mythical creature. She eventually forges a relationship with the being. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
2 nominations
more
NewsDesk:
(16 articles)
Time keeps on slip, slip, slippin' away
(From Roger Ebert's Blog. 30 November 2009, 5:13 PM, PST)
New 'Supernatural' Season 5 Promo: No Such Thing as Lucifer
(From Aceshowbiz. 20 August 2009, 8:57 PM, PDT)
(From Roger Ebert's Blog. 30 November 2009, 5:13 PM, PST)
New 'Supernatural' Season 5 Promo: No Such Thing as Lucifer
(From Aceshowbiz. 20 August 2009, 8:57 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Recommended
more (65 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Margrét Ákadóttir | ... | Rental agent | |
| Robert John Burke | ... | The Monster | |
| Julie Anderson | ... | Beautician | |
| Sarah Polley | ... | Beatrice | |
| Anna Kristín Arngrímsdóttir | ... | Sólveig | |
| Ilene Bergelson | ... | Ethel | |
| Guðrún María Bjarnadóttir | ... | Marta (as Guðrún Bjarnadóttir) | |
| Bessi Bjarnason | ... | Captain | |
| Helgi Björnsson | ... | Leó | |
| Julie Christie | ... | Dr. Anna | |
| Stacy Dawson | ... | Mugger | |
| Maria Ellingsen | ... | Karlsdóttir / Gate-Manager (as María Ellingsen) | |
| Anthony Giangrande | ... | Journalist | |
| Erica Gimpel | ... | Judy | |
| Þröstur Leó Gunnarsson | ... | First mate |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
MPAA:
Rated R for language and brief violence.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
102 min
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Australia:PG |
USA:TV-14 (cable rating) |
Iceland:LH (video rating) |
Iceland:L (original rating) |
USA:R
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Burke described to Fangoria Magazine that he once decided to walk through downtown NYC in his Monster make-up, and no one gave him a second glance.
more
Goofs:
Crew or equipment visible: When the two men are shot in the airport, the imprint of one of the actors' "blood bag"s can be seen through his shirt.
more
Quotes:
Movie Connections:
References Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (65 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for No Such Thing (2001) moreRecommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| S.F.W. | Face Eater | Gremlins | A History of Violence | 101 Reykjavík |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| News articles | IMDb Horror section | IMDb Iceland section |
| Add this title to MyMovies |












Imagine that the original "Outer Limits" folks remade "King Kong" in their standard monster style and you have a good idea of "No Such Thing's" look and feel. Then throw in a little "Mighty Joe Young" banter, "Beauty and the Beast fashions", and "The Song of Bernadette" for good measure.
The film is a stylistic masterpiece and the banter between the beast and Beatrice (Sarah Polley) is surreal comedy at its best. If you enjoy quirky and subtly off-kilter films then the superficial story of "No Such Thing" will be a real pleasure in itself. Don't let frustration over the underlying meaning ruin the fun during the first viewing-just go with it.
The DVD does not contain a director's commentary so the viewer is left to speculate on just what this thing is really about; what themes Hartley is serious about and to what degree the obvious themes are just there for parody and laughs.
My retrospective take is that it is about the interplay of evolution and intelligent design, with the monster an artifact left over from creation. God created the monster, knowing that humankind needs fear for motivation. He expected us to have evolved beyond fear and hate of each other long before now, creating a need for the monster. But this did not happen, making the monster irrelevant and God disillusioned with humankind. Both he and the monster are bored with the stupidity they see.
God decides to intervene so the monster can go away and be put out of it's misery. He chooses Beatrice for this mission and she goes through a miracle survival experience to heighten her appreciation for life and to give her a distanced perspective free of fear and hate (the plane was going to crash with no survivors). Sarah Polley is perfectly cast as Beatrice; her Beatrice is somehow both detached and expressive. If you enjoy Polley you will love this character.
Virginia Woolf: Someone has to die Leonard, in order that the rest of us should value life more.