It's beautiful, real, touching and very well made. It delivers lots of feelings and easily moves you without any forced efforts. Story is emotional, nicely written and flows beautifully. The father-son relationship is so beautiful and performances by Norton and the little kid are superb. But it's simple and slow-paced so don't see it if you're not into this genre.
57 Reviews
A heavy & emotional film, with good story tellers.
rochfordsimon16 August 2021
This movie stirred my emotions so much I was going to turn it off. Hard to watch from a parents point of view. But I'm glad I did not.
Everything from the story, to acting to the cinematography and directing, to the locations, tells a great story. A little gem of a movie. Nice to see a Northern Ireland film that doesn't focus on the troubles.
Everything from the story, to acting to the cinematography and directing, to the locations, tells a great story. A little gem of a movie. Nice to see a Northern Ireland film that doesn't focus on the troubles.
Profoundly moving
Tobeshadow15 November 2021
I don't really understand the negative reviews calling this film slow and underwhelming. I think what these reviews miss is how hard it is to tell a difficult story like this gracefully and without using standard tropes. Nowhere Special achieves this by never falling into the melancholy of the story, but rather using the sadness to highlight the small and beautiful moments in each day.
The central performance from James Norton is understated yet captivating. He does so much work with only facial expressions to convey the deep emotions his character is experiencing and his chemistry with the equally stunning Daniel Lamont was incredible.
An important story and beautifully told.
The central performance from James Norton is understated yet captivating. He does so much work with only facial expressions to convey the deep emotions his character is experiencing and his chemistry with the equally stunning Daniel Lamont was incredible.
An important story and beautifully told.
In the midst of all the noise.
faidai25 January 2022
In this age of raucous blockbuster franchises, where more is more & each one vies to outdo the last, into this maelstrom drops "Nowhere Special".
This is a work of extraordinary restraint, a real tribute to the film makers art. In other hands it could have been a schmaltzy, cloying dose of sentimentality. I dread to think of what American directors would have done with it. This, however, has been handled with the lightest touch, a guiding hand that has drawn out the very best from the whole cast. I normally *loathe* child actors, they set my teeth on edge!. The young boy in this is in another league altogether. At no point does he appear to be "acting" or forced. The relationship between father & son is utterly & completely believable at all times. James Norton's tactic of befriending his young co-star, over an extended period of time, is evident in the ease with which they interact throughout.
I really can't recommend this film highly enough. From the sensitive handling of an imminent death; to the stunning acting; to the use of the Belfast backdrop & lastly, the *beautiful*, sparing use of the perfect music. I streamed this & I never bother to watch end credits (unless it's one of those tricksy superhero movies that sneak in a cheeky bit at the end!) but I stayed with this to the very end, transfixed by the beauty of a musical score that served as the perfect elegy to the film.
This is that increasingly rare thing, a film with integrity & heart, the perfect tribute to the people who actually went through this. Kudos to everyone concerned in the making of this film & they deserved far better from the box office.
This is a work of extraordinary restraint, a real tribute to the film makers art. In other hands it could have been a schmaltzy, cloying dose of sentimentality. I dread to think of what American directors would have done with it. This, however, has been handled with the lightest touch, a guiding hand that has drawn out the very best from the whole cast. I normally *loathe* child actors, they set my teeth on edge!. The young boy in this is in another league altogether. At no point does he appear to be "acting" or forced. The relationship between father & son is utterly & completely believable at all times. James Norton's tactic of befriending his young co-star, over an extended period of time, is evident in the ease with which they interact throughout.
I really can't recommend this film highly enough. From the sensitive handling of an imminent death; to the stunning acting; to the use of the Belfast backdrop & lastly, the *beautiful*, sparing use of the perfect music. I streamed this & I never bother to watch end credits (unless it's one of those tricksy superhero movies that sneak in a cheeky bit at the end!) but I stayed with this to the very end, transfixed by the beauty of a musical score that served as the perfect elegy to the film.
This is that increasingly rare thing, a film with integrity & heart, the perfect tribute to the people who actually went through this. Kudos to everyone concerned in the making of this film & they deserved far better from the box office.
Most touching film I can remember watching
dizzeness3 October 2022
This will break your heart from the first scene onwards but stick with it and I promise that it will also:
1. Inspire you
2. Make you look at all sorts of things through another light, and most importantly
3. Leave you as a better person
As a single father who has brought up two boys from the ages of seven and two, countless aspects of this film resonated with my own experiences, despite never having been anywhere close to the situation that transpires (except in my most troubled times and imagination). My sons are now twenty and seventeen and have become their own wonderful selves desoite my fumbling efforts along the way, but I truly wish I had seen this at the start of my own journey.
Brilliant writing, direction and most of all career defining performances, in particular from James Norton, but also barely credible from such a young actor as Daniel Lamont, as well as all the supporting cast.
If I could, I would have given this 20+ stars... choose your time to watch it, but never has 'must watch' more applied.
Brilliant writing, direction and most of all career defining performances, in particular from James Norton, but also barely credible from such a young actor as Daniel Lamont, as well as all the supporting cast.
If I could, I would have given this 20+ stars... choose your time to watch it, but never has 'must watch' more applied.
Absolutely special
Gordon-1128 August 2021
I was thoroughly impressed by this film. The story is beautifully developed, and convincingly told. The messages are very effective. It makes you feel them with your heart, without the need to use clichés and dramatic scenes. Less is more in this film, and it is truly special.
Well made and very watchable
chrisbarker34415 August 2021
Nicely out together film. Some very sad moments interlaced with touching scenes. The child actor is excellent and there is really well played relationship between father and son.
Not exactly a feel-good movie but nonetheless worth watching.
Not exactly a feel-good movie but nonetheless worth watching.
Very special indeed
ingamazonaite17 January 2022
Special enough
bryangary6525 January 2022
"Beautiful and Heart Breaking" is not Enough to Admire it
sedikas1 October 2021
An absolutely impressive story...really deep and filled with emotions. James Norton shows his amazing ability to reflect love and grief at the same time; and mostly in silence. Daniel Lamont' s performance is also really touching and adorable. One can easily believe and completely trust the father-son relationship and their love.
made to ...
ops-5253510 October 2021
So Emotional.. Great movie!
nnjimdb28 October 2021
Laugh n cry the same time
ks-6050023 November 2021
Watching a 3 yo cute boy to act is so natural with the heartbreaking situation, just feel terribly sorry and hope this is not based on true event. Life can be so suck sometimes for someone. Make your life colorful if u are lucky ones. Obviously I think too much after watching this but it's true.
Could Have Told The Story In 5 Minutes!
martimusross14 September 2021
Nowhere Special
A strange touchy-feely movie about letting go. One minute it is suggested that the dying father wishes to be entirely forgotten by his young son as knowledge of his demise will impact adversely on his childhood and the next he does all he can to imprint indelible memories on his early years.
The whole process of adoption is drawn out presumably so he can spend the maximum time with his son, I felt this drawn out process was more damaging than anything on the young boy, in fact it was self-evident!
The movie was glacially slow as if this pace increased the emotionality, but it made me frustrated. All drama is a compression of reality this was hardly compressed and practically in real time so it lacked any dramatic impetus.
The movie then descended into an essay as to why different people adopt but this question is unanswerable as every person is different and adopters don't fall into types.
The acting was first rate from James Norton and the accent was impeccable but to my mind it was a movie that just didn't need to be made. There were certainly no gems or insight and the movie just didn't say anything as it lacked a voice.
At best this is a weak 4 outta 10, all for James's brilliant emotional acting.
A strange touchy-feely movie about letting go. One minute it is suggested that the dying father wishes to be entirely forgotten by his young son as knowledge of his demise will impact adversely on his childhood and the next he does all he can to imprint indelible memories on his early years.
The whole process of adoption is drawn out presumably so he can spend the maximum time with his son, I felt this drawn out process was more damaging than anything on the young boy, in fact it was self-evident!
The movie was glacially slow as if this pace increased the emotionality, but it made me frustrated. All drama is a compression of reality this was hardly compressed and practically in real time so it lacked any dramatic impetus.
The movie then descended into an essay as to why different people adopt but this question is unanswerable as every person is different and adopters don't fall into types.
The acting was first rate from James Norton and the accent was impeccable but to my mind it was a movie that just didn't need to be made. There were certainly no gems or insight and the movie just didn't say anything as it lacked a voice.
At best this is a weak 4 outta 10, all for James's brilliant emotional acting.
Heartbreakingly excellent
Vindelander17 January 2022
A film to remember and such a fine performance by James Norton and the little boy. A truly emotional journey and Pasolini's direction and screenplay are breathtaking.
I've always been an admirer of Norton!s work but this is him at his very best. Can't recommend it highly enough if you can brave the tears.
I've always been an admirer of Norton!s work but this is him at his very best. Can't recommend it highly enough if you can brave the tears.
A Beautiful film
shenzencowboy20 August 2021
You'll need a box of tissues to watch this film. It's a very rewarding, sad film with stunning performances. James Norton is wonderful in the lead role and the young child, Daniel Lamont playing his son is sensational. It's hard to believe it's his first role.
You feel every moment in this film and imagine yourself in the same predicament. It's what films should be, engaging, character driven and believable at every stage. It moved me immensely.
You feel every moment in this film and imagine yourself in the same predicament. It's what films should be, engaging, character driven and believable at every stage. It moved me immensely.
This films only goal is to break your heart
saira_price17 December 2021
Beautifully written and filmed with incredible acting but it's over the top heartbreakingly sad. It's as if they set themselves an objective to be the saddest film you will ever see! I cried from start to finish, at times in complete hysterics. Don't watch if you cry at films you will be sad for days!
A hidden gem
jamesedge-9423125 July 2021
Tragedyosaurus rex
frukuk3 August 2023
A very slow-moving beginning, encouraged me to skip forward and watch the very end. Then I went back to try to fill in some missing details and found myself more impressed by the middle section of this film.
While I think it's true there's nothing really new here, the central performance of James Norton is really very special. He is so believable in the role. I never once felt he was an actor playing a part. Nor did I ever feel his character was focussed on anything other than his struggle to make the right decision(s) for his son.
So, nothing really new here, but worth watching for James Norton's wonderfully believable performance.
While I think it's true there's nothing really new here, the central performance of James Norton is really very special. He is so believable in the role. I never once felt he was an actor playing a part. Nor did I ever feel his character was focussed on anything other than his struggle to make the right decision(s) for his son.
So, nothing really new here, but worth watching for James Norton's wonderfully believable performance.
Love in the face of sadness
rhurn216 August 2021
One should watch this movie with their family, regardless of age. Go into it with no advanced insight into the plot. We all can learn something from this film, and if you cannot then something is truly wrong with you.
A moving tear-jerker
savindri17 August 2021
A slow paced movie with a clear intention to showcase and build upon a father-son relationship whilst maintaining the realistic mundanity of a fathers life as he navigates through accepting his own mortality and the sacrifices to be made. Both actors make an excellent pair, conveying emotions almost naturally, that you forget they're acting. An honest and compassionate story that can evoke multitudes of feelings and teach you something about life.
Slow and hard to like
andrew-8057 February 2022
A window cleaner looking like James Norton could have taken Michael to school and all the young teachers would have come out, and fought their way past the single mums. Problem solved!
There is a strange disconnect with real life in this for all it purports to reflect it. The sparse dialogue doesn't help. The little boy is sweet, fortunately.
A smattering of attempted philosophy doesn't work either.
The actors try and Norton rises above it all but in the end it's the miserable screenplay that lets it down until the 'happy' ending (know thy place!)
There is a strange disconnect with real life in this for all it purports to reflect it. The sparse dialogue doesn't help. The little boy is sweet, fortunately.
A smattering of attempted philosophy doesn't work either.
The actors try and Norton rises above it all but in the end it's the miserable screenplay that lets it down until the 'happy' ending (know thy place!)
Amazing
liddydiddy29 December 2021
Something Special
dominic-894-42895416 August 2021
Nowhere Special
jboothmillard26 July 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I watched the leading actor being interviewed about this film on The Graham Norton Show, he spent a lot of time with the child star and his family before and during production, and it sounded good. Inspired by true events, in Northern Ireland, John (James Norton) is a thirty-five-year-old window cleaner who has dedicated his life to caring for his three-year-old son Michael (introducing Daniel Lamont). His mother left them after giving birth to return to her native Russia without leaving any contact details. But John is now looking for a new family who will adopt Michael. John has a terminal brain cancer, and it is unclear how much longer he has left to live. But he chooses not to tell Michael the truth about what is going on, as he feels he is too young to understand and acknowledge the situation. John meets numerous families who are interested in adoption, and they all give compelling reasons why they want a child, making it difficult to choose which one is best. John continues to shield his son from the harsh reality, and continues to clean windows, but he cannot avoid being reminded that he will die. There are also incidents when Michael asks questions about death. There are moments when the situation gets too much for john, coping with parenting, and working with social service to choose the best family for Michael. Slowly, John's condition worsens, and he realises he does not have much time left. So, he chooses to sell his car and ladder, prepares a box of memories and objects to remind Michael of his father, writes letters for the occasions he will not live to see, and they spend a day together at a funfair. Finally, John decides that Michael should be eased into knowing the truth. In the end, John chooses a single woman to adopt Michael, and he smiles as he lets his son go to start his new life. Also starring Eileen O'Higgins as Shona, Valerie O'Connor as Ella, Valene Kane as Celia, Siobhan McSweeney as Pam, Chris Corrigan as Gerry, Niamh McGrady as Lorraine, Rhoda Ofori-Attah as Sharon, and Nigel O'Neill as David. Norton delivers an authentic and moving performance as the single father left reeling by a cancer diagnosis, and newcomer Lamont is compelling as his quiet but expressive, together they are fantastic. This is an emotional story of mortality and loss, which finds meaning in small moments of intimacy, a tearjerker full of heart that works well, a marvellous drama. Very good!
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