Nobody: Movie Review


By Michael Momper

Do you like the John Wick movies? You will love Nobody, the latest brutal action film from John Wick screenwriter Derek Kolstad. Do you hate the John Wick movies? You will hate Nobody. It really is that simple. I will elaborate a little further just in case you haven't seen John Wick before, but suffice it to say that the formula I laid out has to be nearly 100% accurate and perhaps the easiest recommendation I've ever had to create.

Nobody stars the effortlessly charming Bob Odenkirk, and this movie is certainly his vehicle to command. Odenkirk is so concretely identified with his scheming character Saul Goodman from AMC's Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul that at first many fans of these shows might be curious about the casting of this middle-aged comedian for an action movie that demands crazy fighting stunts and bruising battles. Nevertheless, Odenkirk absolutely shines. Because of his charm and every-man suburban look, he is instantly sympathetic (in part due to some very snappy plotting and writing). He is truly your average nobody in suburban America, and this relatable quality leads us to easily be invested in the identity crisis that ensues, which is really the heart of the movie as we delve into this hard-hitting but vulnerable man's past.

Like many ultra-violent gems before it, Nobody is stylish and sleek. There is a fantastic tracking shot in this movie that sets up the backstory of the main villain. The violence throughout is brutal and incredibly choreographed. This movie aims for fun at all costs, and isn't trying to be anything more than that. Because Kolstad's writing is so snappy and effective, the movie clocks in at just over an hour and a half but doesn't feel totally mindless and certainly doesn't feel rushed. Adding to the style of the movie is an excellent soundtrack of crooner classics such as "I've Gotta Be Me" and a rendition of "Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood", as well as some other great jazz standards. This movie was great to see on the big screen, and is nothing but an adrenaline-pumping good time at the cinema. 

Rating: 90/100


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