Nobody from Nowhere (2014) User Reviews

improve yourself

[happytrigger-64-390517 · 8/10 · 30 November 2014]

What a wonderful and incredible movie, an unusual subject : a man searching for his true personality by transforming himself into other persons by changing his face with masks and assimilate their clothes. I won't tell anymore, this fantastic tale going really very far, e real trip. When seeing this masterpiece, I thought of movies directed by Franju, Cronenberg or Tod Browning's "The Unknown" (and others with the unforgettable Lon Chaney).

When I watch this kind of unclassifiable movies, I finally find there is some hope in discovering movies with real stories, tripping you to dream or nightmare from close life, far away from ketchup blockbusters full of nothing and costing thousands of dollars just to win millions of dollars without a dollar of emotion. In fact, "Un Illustre Inconnu" is intensely rich in emotions, a gripping tale of life with tremendous suspense. Please, don't miss it. And you'll think about yourself. For the better...

compelling thriller

[myriamlenys · 8/10 · 26 January 2020]

A middle-aged man likes, no, needs to impersonate other people. Meticulous and driven, he has gotten very good at it, to the point where he could get hired as a professional make-up or effects expert for a movie. One day he crosses paths with a famous (and famously misanthropic) musician, who has returned to his native France after many years of glamorous travels and concerts...

Quite an interesting movie, best described as a thriller with some horror accents. (The horror here is of the moral and existential kind, not the "Transsylvanian count in a castle" or "zombies banging on a door" kind.) The acting is exceptional and exceptionally versatile, as befits a movie about a man capable of assuming almost any look and identity that strike his fancy. Thanks to the well-chosen sets and locations, the whole takes on an intriguing maze-like or labyrinth-like look.

In its way "Un illustre inconnu" is also a condemnation of our modern society, where millions of citizens can live side-by-side in the same busy city without getting to know each other. There are whole apartment blocks where the various tenants never progress beyond "That's the deaf lady who dislikes cats" or "That must be a cousin of that old guy who wore woollen Christmas sweaters". And of course nowadays things are made even worse by various social media, which provide false illusions of knowledge, insight and intimacy...

The plot is quite good, with suspenseful twists and unexpected turns. Once you start watching, you'll find yourself hooked till the end.

Did you notice the French title ? My own native language, Dutch, contains the exact equivalent, "een illustere onbekende". As far as I know, English has not yet adopted the expression. There's an opportunity here...

Maybe a minor work, but a major acting showcase

[gridoon2024 · 7/10 · 30 September 2019]

Engrossing (if slightly overlong - the first 30 minutes are essentially just a dress rehearsal for the rest) little thriller with an award-caliber chameleonic performance by Mathieu Kassovitz; this must be one of the acting highlights of his career. Smartly presented ending. *** out of 4.

A very beautiful movie.

[searchanddestroy-1 · 19 November 2014]

First, let's be clear, THIS MOVIE IS NOT A COMEDY, as it is said in the top line. Not at all. A thriller instead, a powerful, fascinating, riveting drama, yes, yes, yes. An authentic masterpiece. The tale of a lonely and hateful for himself estate broker who decides one day to impersonate one of his client, a great, notorious but selfish musician - and a lonely man too - in order to take care of the musician's son, a little eight year boy.

I won't tell you any further about this feature. I don't want to spoil anything. But, believe me, it's really Worth watching. A poignant and very deep tale that makes you think about the capacity for a human being to change or improve himself. To be at last himself.

Good, entertaining, interesting

[Castorian · 7/10 · 6 December 2020]

Nice movie. Good acting. I wouldn't say it's a masterpiece, as others have stated, but entertaining and interesting nonetheless, would have liked to see more of Paris in it. Solid 7.5.

Excellent!

[alexpeychev · 7/10 · 7 January 2021]

This film is excellent. Bizarre and suspenseful, with beautiful cinematography, a gripping story and excellent acting.

A potential masterpiece undermined by its

[mehobulls · 7/10 · 5 March 2021]

What kind of person wants to inhabit other people's lives? An actor. Only with an actor there's not the same type of risk.So he's a bit of an adrenaline junkie. I kept wondering what he was going to do in their position. Would he be a killer? In this case he takes the musician and makes him a better person.

What a wicked little movie

[kosmasp · 9/10 · 27 June 2016]

Sometimes an idea can be overwhelming and the weight of it might crush the whole movie underneath it. Other times it just might be the right director and actor doing that stuff with a script that is tight and lean (and mean of course). This is one of those times. It's not easy to watch at times, especially because of the blandness of the main character. But this is a deliberate method/tool and it's supposed to feel that way for the viewer.

Indeed some may feel that there are not enough emotions in this and that's I reckon a fair criticism. It's more a movie for the head, if you want to call it that. But what it does with your head, especially concerning the twists and the whole "Who am I?" identity thing that is going on ... It's superb execution and it really had me at the edge of my seat!

Not very believable, but...

[CaptnCnck · 8/10 · 15 August 2021]

Not very believable, but... excellent performances all around. Even the child actor is excellent, and the two leads are fantastic. Supporting cast is also very good. Bizarre story, but definitely not derivative, not the same old thing!

If you are a fan of French cinema, or European films in general, it's worth a look. It is quite slow, especially in the early stages, but if you are patient, the pace and plot pick up quite a bit.

Intriguing

[skepticskeptical · 8/10 · 2 October 2020]

This film is excellent. Bizarre and suspenseful, with beautiful cinematography, a gripping story and excellent acting. I had a feeling that it would be good when I saw that Matthieu Kasovitz (director of La Haine) was involved.

Intriguing

[jmuradov · 10/10 · 4 November 2020]

Sébastian is lonely realtor and enjoys to impersonate and live moments as his clients in their houses. One day, while impersonating he is recognized by someone in street you think that is a key for the whole movie. And moment when he meets selfish, lonely musician and starts to copy him things start to make some sense. However, twist with ex girlfriend of musician coming to tell about his son and him talking to her in cafeteria and meeting her again as Sebastián. What nice play with change of face, voice and even dog accepts him as owner. Suicide of musician and sudden visit by ex.girlfriend and her son at that time leaves him no choice but remain in new body and life...and set up his own death.