When sitting down to write i was wondering. How do i review this film without giving too much away..? Cause throughout the film, I was constantly surprised and amazed. I think my mouth was hanging slightly open a few times from the brilliance on display. I was totally captivated from start to finish. Taken simply, it’s a philosophical sci-fi film but it’s so much more than that. It’s about choices, destinies, astrophysics, dreams, memories to name a few themes. Taken at its simplest, it’s the jumbled recollections of the last mortal man, 118 years old, on earth in 2092. The problem is that his memories are in total disorder and contradictory. In practice, it means that this is a very non-linear experience in terms of time and space, real and imaginary, showing you results of important choices either way. It doesn’t focus on just 2 alternate lives either : things constantly branch out. You would think the film would be a mess but it’s surprisingly cohesive, gripping and even quite touching. I’m sure some will find it confusing but that’s part of the point : Mr. Nobody’s memories seem confused and appearances might be deceiving.
We are introduced to a mr. Nemo, the protagonist who, during certain stages of his life, refuses to choose when choices are necessary, and to the result that his life is fragmented into many universes, many parallel possibilities, the one where he left his girlfriend and the one where he didn’t, the one where he lived with his mum and the one where he lived with his dad. In an incessant obscure-hit singles filled soundtrack, withing the first half hour we are thrown between a dozen alternate realities, some where he is a boy, some who are in a far off future.
This genuinely mind blowing movie is an experience revolving around the notion of choice, the importance or futility of decisions, a complex story that questions randomness, and what our lives are made of. Illustrated by bribes of a science documentary enlightening us about concepts like time before and after the big bang, the extremely interesting superstition of the pigeon, the eventuality of the big crunch, the complexity of quantum mechanics and string theory. This is a journey into the human psyche and the ability to create and explore in our imagination all the possible moves, like a chess player, that would lead to different paths, different existences. Exceptionally imaginative, acutely funny and startling, this production reeks of intelligence and craftsmanship, breaks down linear storytelling into bits, only to shuffle the whole thing in a brilliantly orchestrated masterpiece. It reminded me of so many great experiences, from David Lynch movies to Jorge Luis Borges books, it’s an exquisite bundle of intellect and emotion.
Choices, their meaning, why we choose this or that road through our lives, their consequences, whether we are aware of them of not. How many different lives could we be living ? Through the infinite possibilities facing each and every one of us, the good and the bad choices, every turn taken creates a new life, the most interesting of all is being alive. Chaos theory and butterfly effect to remind us how small we are in the randomness of the universe and yet so able to actively manifest the reality we desire. Nemo Nobody has to choose between leaving with his mother or stay with his father, the starting point of the exploration his available destinies. Unable to decide, he chooses both and takes us for a ride through an immensity of possible.
Great film to watch for the hundredth time, on late night TV, when you are not really into watching film, but a total waste of time for anyone looking for content. An orgy of superficialness.
Overall, a gem. If you don’t watch it, you’re missing out.
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