Mr. Nobody (2009)

A boy stands on a station platform as a train is about to leave. Should he go with his mother or stay with his father? Infinite possibilities arise from this decision. As long as he doesn't choose, anything is possible.

Director:

Jaco Van Dormael

Writer:

Jaco Van Dormael

Stars:

Jared Leto, Sarah Polley, Diane Kruger

11 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jared Leto	...	Nemo Adult / Old Nemo
Sarah Polley	...	Adult Elise
Diane Kruger	...	Anna Adult
Linh Dan Pham	...	Adult Jean (as Linh-Dan Pham)
Rhys Ifans	...	Father Nemo
Natasha Little	...	Mother Nemo
Toby Regbo	...	Nemo age 15
Juno Temple	...	Anna age 15
Clare Stone	...	Elise age 15
Thomas Byrne	...	Nemo age 9
Audrey Giacomini	...	Jean age 15
Laura Brumagne	...	Anna age 9
Allan Corduner	...	Dr. Feldheim
Daniel Mays	...	Young Journalist
Michael Riley	...	Harry

Storyline

In the year 2092, one hundred eighteen year old Nemo is recounting his life story to a reporter. He is less than clear, often times thinking that he is only thirty-four years of age. But his story becomes more confusing after he does focus on the fact of his current real age. He tells of his life at three primary points in his life: at age nine (when his parents divorced), age sixteen and age thirty-four. The confusing aspect of the story is that he tells of alternate life paths, often changing course with the flick of a decision at each of those ages. One life path has him ultimately married to Elise, a depressed woman who never got over the unrequited love she had for a guy named Stefano when she was a teenager and who asked Nemo to swear that when she died he would sprinkle her ashes on Mars. A second life path has him married to Jean. Their life is one of luxury but one also of utter boredom. And a third life path has him in a torrid romance with his step-sister Anna, the two who,...

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Plot Keywords:

multiple outcomes | time | future | borderline personality disorder | last words | 

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Taglines:

Nothing is real, everything is possible.

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality/nudity, brief strong language and violent images.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Belgium Germany Canada France

Language:

English Mohawk

Release Date:

26 September 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ein Mann, drei Leben - Mr. Nobody

Filming Locations:

Japanese Garden, Hasselt, Belgium

Box Office

Budget:

$47,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$1,612 (USA) (1 November 2013)

Gross:

$3,600 (USA) (29 November 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pan Européenne, Virtual Films, Christal Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

141 min 138 min 157 min (Director's Cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jaco Van Dormael: The Brazilian man.

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Goofs

When Nemo drowns in his car, it would actually have been rather easy to escape, because once the car filled with water the pressure would have equalized, making opening the door no more difficult than usual.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Nemo Nobody adult: Like most living creatures, the pigeon quickly associates the pressing of the level with the reward. But when a timer releases a seed automatically every 20 seconds, the pigeon wonders, what did I do to deserve this? If it was flapping its wings at the time, it will continue to flap, convinced that its actions have the decisive influence on what happens. We call this "pigeon superstition".
Nemo Nobody adult: [cut to Nemo on a gurney] What did I do to deserve this?

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Connections

References The Secret Life of Words (2005)

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Soundtracks

Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall
Lyrics by Allan Roberts and Music by Doris Fisher
Performed by Ella Fitzgerald
Courtesy of Doris Fisher Music / Allan Roberts Music

User Reviews

An experience of a lifetime

Jaco Van Dormael's third & long awaited movie is a sensation. It is a real shame that this masterpiece didn't won lots of awards at different film festivals. How could they be so blind ? Mr. Nobody is a unique cocktail of drama, love story & science fiction. It's an odyssey about making choices and the effect it has upon our lives. The songs ( Buddy Holly ! Pixies ! Satie ! ) are well chosen and the acting ( Jared Leto ! Rhys Ifans ! ) is outstanding. Some might say that this is a difficult movie and a bit "arty farty"... I agree that you won't understand everything, that's for sure, but what the heck, just sit back and enjoy the ride ! This breathtaking tale of imagination leaves you astonished in your seat. Not to be missed !