A One Mann’s Movies review of “Nobody” (2021).
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
The “Nobody” in question is Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk) who lives a humdrum suburban life: a 9-to-5 managerial job at his in-laws manufacturing plant; distant wife (Connie Nielsen); two kids, Blake (Gage Munroe) and Abby (Paisley Cadorath); an elderly father (Christopher Lloyd) in a local care home. Basically, the Mansell’s are all living the American dream, but all subject to the monotonous grind of that daily life for week after week. That all changes in the middle of the night after Hutch confronts two bungling burglars and – in the full gaze of his son – ‘wimps out’ on taking action.
All the silent rage and embarrassment has to go somewhere, and it does – on a late night bus ride; an event that sets off a sequence of increasingly bloody encounters!
A short fuse that had to explode sometime. Bob Odenkirk as Hutch Mansell. (Source: Universal).
Certification:
Talent:
Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd, RZA, Aleksey Serebryakov.
Directed by: Ilya Naishuller.
Written by: Derek Kolstad.
Providing great support. Abby, Blake and Becca Mansell. (Source: Universal).
“Nobody” Review:
Positives:
- Bob Odenkirk is charismatically dull! His character could be compared with that of Christian Wolff in 2016’s “The Accountant“. But in that movie, Ben Affleck was just dull dull! Here Odenkirk brings his character to life in a truly wonderful and sparkly way.
- The movie is a hyper-violent but adrenaline-fuelled joy ride. There’s a slight lull after the initial burglary, but then it’s a downhill bobsleigh ride with no brakes from there to the end. It comes as no surprise that the writer, Derek Kolstad, is the guy behind the John Wick franchise. The script has moments of black comedy that made me laugh out loud a good few times.
- The editing here (by Evan Schiff and William Yeh) is very slick indeed, most noticeably so in the many fight scenes. The one on the bus could be pulled apart as a template for a film school lesson.
That moment when the bus inspector finds that you don’t have a valid ticket. (Source: Universal).
Negatives:
- I’ve very little to add here. Yes, it’s a rather shallow story, but I found it a hugely entertaining rush of a movie. However the intensity of the violence will not be for everyone. The lady a few seats along from me had her hands over her eyes for at least 75% of the movie I reckon.
- I wasn’t clear where the character played by RZA fitted into the mix. Having (post film) seen the cast list, I’m even more confused!
- Is there too much macho-bullshit in the world already? And does this fuel it? It’s certainly not a poster-child for the pacifist movement. An example of the debate that this sparks is in this Guardian article.
Harry (RZA), Hutch (Bob Odenkirk) and David (Christopher Lloyd), armed and dangerous. (Source: Universal).
Additional notes:
- There is a “monkey” in this one, shortly into the end credits, so don’t dive for the doors too quickly if you want to see it. That being said, it doesn’t really make much sense (why are they doing this?) and it isn’t particularly funny either. So if you did miss it, then don’t sweat about it!
- This is a movie that I knew virtually nothing about on going into it. Which is the best way to see it. As such, it’s worth NOT watching the trailer, and going in on that basis if you can.
The cat’s got the cream (or rather the tuna) in the police interrogation room. (Source: Universal).
Summary Thoughts on “Nobody”:
“A Quiet Place Part II” is a great draw to get people back into the cinemas, and this should be too. It’s a pretty shallow plot…. but it’s also bloody good fun! I expected this to follow the well worn road of classic “revenge” movies – like “Death Wish” or “Taken” – but was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t. A better comparison might be Michael Douglas‘s “Falling Down”, but with the central character having more heart.
There are lots of nods to sequences from other movies in here: “Home Alone” (for obvious reasons!); “Patriot Games” and “The Equalizer” came to my mind. And the finale reminded me strongly of the anarchic chaos of 2016’s “Free Fire“.
Intellectual it ain’t. But provided you can stomach the Tom and Jerry style violence, and suspend your belief at the punishment Hutch can take without hospital treatment, then “Nobody” ticks all the boxes for a fun night out at the flicks.
Trailer:
The teaser TV trailer for “Nobody” is here. I’ve included this one, since it keeps things as spoiler-free as possible (but I’d still recommend you avoid it!). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CbZoBWl-HI .
