Mr. Nobody is a mind-bending, non-linear film directed by Jaco Van Dormael. It’s a philosophical and visually stunning exploration of choice, time, and alternate realities. The film follows Nemo Nobody (played by Jared Leto), the last mortal human being, as he recalls and imagines the various paths his life could have taken. Get ready for an existential journey!
Detailed Summary
The Future of 2092: The Last Mortal Man
In the year 2092, Nemo Nobody is 118 years old and the last mortal man on Earth. The rest of humanity has achieved immortality through advances in technology, making Nemo a relic of the past. He is interviewed by a journalist about his life, but his memories are fragmented and inconsistent.
Nemo tells various versions of his life story, leaving the audience (and the interviewer) unsure which events actually happened.
The Choice: Stay with Mom or Dad?
The defining moment of Nemo’s life occurs when, as a young boy, his parents separate. Nemo is forced to make an impossible choice: stay with his father or leave with his mother. From this single decision, numerous timelines unfold, and the film explores the consequences of both choices.
Multiple Lives and Infinite Possibilities
Nemo’s life splinters into different paths depending on whether he chooses to live with his mother or father. In some versions, Nemo stays with his father, leading to a certain life. In other versions, he chooses to leave with his mother, creating a completely different trajectory.
Key events in his life vary dramatically, from his career choices to his relationships with three central women: Elise (Sarah Polley), Anna (Diane Kruger), and Jeanne (Linh Dan Pham).
Life with Elise
In one timeline, Nemo marries Elise, who suffers from depression and is deeply in love with another man. Their marriage is strained, and Nemo struggles with her mental health. Elise’s emotional instability shapes much of his life in this path.
Life with Anna
Anna is often portrayed as Nemo’s true love. In one version of events, they meet as children and are separated when Nemo’s mother leaves his father. In another, they meet as adults and fall deeply in love, but they are separated by circumstance. Their relationship is the most passionate and emotionally resonant, but fate seems to conspire to keep them apart.
Life with Jeanne
In another possible timeline, Nemo marries Jeanne, but their relationship is more functional and detached. Nemo is wealthy and successful, but this version of his life feels empty and unfulfilled.
The Train Station Scene: The Moment of Infinite Possibilities
The movie frequently returns to a pivotal moment at a train station, where young Nemo is faced with the decision to go with his mother or stay with his father. This scene symbolizes the infinite potential lives Nemo could lead, depending on his choice. It’s here that the theme of choice versus destiny becomes central.
Movie Ending
The movie’s ending is as abstract and open to interpretation as the rest of the film. In the final moments, Nemo realizes that all possible lives are valid and can be experienced simultaneously. Time begins to run backward as Nemo, on his deathbed, witnesses the “Big Crunch”—the scientific theory that the universe will collapse into itself, causing time to reverse.
In his final realization, Nemo declares, “Everything could have been anything else, and it would have just as much meaning.” The film ends ambiguously, suggesting that life’s meaning is not determined by the choices we make but by how we live in the moment.
Are There Post-Credits Scene?
There are no post-credits scenes in Mr. Nobody. The film concludes with its philosophical and open-ended finale, leaving plenty of room for thought, but no additional scenes after the credits roll.
Type of Movie
Mr. Nobody is a sci-fi drama with strong elements of philosophy, romance, and surrealism. It mixes psychological exploration with science fiction concepts like alternate realities and time travel.
Cast
- Jared Leto as Nemo Nobody (adult)
- Sarah Polley as Elise
- Diane Kruger as Anna
- Linh Dan Pham as Jeanne
- Rhys Ifans as Nemo’s father
- Natasha Little as Nemo’s mother
- Toby Regbo as Nemo (teen)
- Juno Temple as Anna (teen)
Film Music and Composer
The score for Mr. Nobody was composed by Pierre Van Dormael, the director’s brother. It is atmospheric and melancholic, complementing the film’s contemplative tone. The soundtrack also features classical pieces, like Erik Satie’s “Gnossienne No. 1” and Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams”, used at pivotal moments in the film.
Filming Locations
The movie was filmed in multiple locations, including Brussels, Montreal, and Berlin. Each location was chosen to represent different realities in Nemo’s life. For example, the futuristic city scenes were filmed in Berlin, and the natural, dreamlike sequences were captured in Brussels. The diversity in locations helped bring the film’s complex, multi-dimensional story to life.
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Awards and Nominations
- Venice Film Festival: Won the Biografilm Award and received a nomination for the Golden Lion.
- Méliès d’Or: Won for Best European Fantastic Feature Film.
- Magritte Awards: Won six awards, including Best Film and Best Director for Jaco Van Dormael.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Jared Leto stayed in character even when the cameras weren’t rolling, helping him maintain Nemo’s deep emotional state.
- Director Jaco Van Dormael spent 10 years working on the film’s script to ensure the multiple timelines and philosophical themes were cohesive.
- The film used a combination of practical effects and CGI to create its futuristic environments, giving it a unique, surreal aesthetic.
Inspirations and References
The film is heavily inspired by philosophical concepts and scientific theories like chaos theory, the butterfly effect, and string theory, which suggest that multiple parallel realities exist based on every decision we make. The story also draws from existential philosophy, particularly the works of Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus, about the absurdity of life and the nature of free will.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
While no alternate endings were revealed, there are several deleted scenes that further explore the different versions of Nemo’s life. These scenes mainly provide additional context to his relationships with Anna, Elise, and Jeanne, but were cut to keep the pacing tight.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Mr. Nobody is not based on any specific book, but its plot and structure are heavily influenced by multiverse theory and the concept of parallel lives often explored in science fiction literature. Its thematic focus on choices, time, and existentialism aligns with books like “Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut and “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” by Milan Kundera.
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Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Nemo at the train station, faced with the impossible choice between his parents.
- Nemo and Anna meeting again as adults and falling in love, only to be separated by circumstances.
- The visualization of the universe collapsing in the “Big Crunch.”
- The butterfly effect montage, where Nemo explains how small, seemingly insignificant events can change everything.
Iconic Quotes
- Nemo: “As long as you don’t choose, everything remains possible.”
- Old Nemo: “Every path is the right path. Everything could have been anything else, and it would have just as much meaning.”
- Nemo (child): “We cannot go back. That’s why it’s hard to choose.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Butterflies appear throughout the film as a reference to the butterfly effect, symbolizing how small actions have large consequences.
- In many scenes, you can spot spirals, representing the fractal nature of Nemo’s multiple lives.
- The recurring motif of water is a metaphor for the fluidity of time and life’s ever-changing nature.
Trivia
- Jaco Van Dormael wanted to cast an actor who could portray multiple ages convincingly, which is why he chose Jared Leto.
- The script was originally in French, but the director decided to make it in English to appeal to a broader audience.
- Jared Leto aged from a young man to an elderly 118-year-old man through extensive makeup and CGI effects.
Why Watch?
Mr. Nobody is perfect for anyone who loves philosophical, thought-provoking films. If you’re into exploring the nature of time, choice, and free will, or if you’re a fan of non-linear narratives like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or Donnie Darko, this movie will captivate you.
Director’s Other Movies
- The Brand New Testament (2015)
- The Eighth Day (1996)
- Toto the Hero (1991)