Nobody - Review

 

From “Mr. Show” to “Better Call Saul,” Bob Odenkirk has never shied away from a challenge. The man established himself in the 90’s as one of the shining stars of absurdist comedy and yet somehow managed to successfully transition into character dramas without breaking a sweat. Now, you’re just as likely to see him in a budget indie comedy as you are in a big Oscar drama. However, his boldest career move has just been made, turning him into a bonafide action star.

Odenkirk stars as Hutch, a man with a dark past that gets unearthed as people come after him and his family. The plot is nothing special and has a lot more in common with the paint-by-numbers approach of the yearly Liam Neeson revenge film than the stylized world of John Wick. Odenkirk does a fabulous job with the limited material he’s given though, and it’s a kind of gradual transformation that you believe.

Like the “Wick” films, the real meat of the world comes in the small details. Hutch’s father, his record player, his basement, his secret two-way radio, all these are set-dressings that smartly create a kind of secret world without directly explaining everything to the audience.

These comparisons to “John Wick” are all apt because “Nobody” shares the same writer, Derek Kolstad (“John Wick,” “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”), and producer, David Leitch (“Atomic Blonde,” “Deadpool 2”), as the Keanu Reeves blockbusters. This means that the action is absolutely top notch, building from a relatively small-scale start in a bus to an extravaganza of explosions, bullets, and makeshift death traps.

Its truly a spectacle to behold, showing off the skills of director Illya Naishuller (“Hardcore Henry”) and made even greater by Odenkirk’s commitment to it all. During numerous scenes, its obvious that the star is straining himself and really giving his all. How much is him and how much is stunt doubles is unknown, but Odenkirk clearly commits 100% of the time.

His performance is also what helps the film feel largely guilt free. As opposed to recent “rampage” movies like the “Death Wish” remake and “Honest Thief,” because Hutch, and more importantly the writer, knows that he isn’t a good person, it means that the violence takes on a more carefree tone. Almost the entire movie exists with its tongue planted firmly in its cheek, from the various deathtraps Hutch assembles, to the absurdity of his monologues.

If there’s anything to fault the film for, it’s its general one note nature. That’s not to say its not an enjoyable piece, it’s a fun blast of action and popcorn thrills propped up with a legitimately great leading performance. Yet, when compared to films like the “Wick” series, its more realistic nature doesn’t hold a candle to the intrigue and mythology of Reeves’s exploits. Is that bad? No, not at all. But it just means it doesn’t grip your brain with both action and intrigue, just action.

Overall, this is an extremely solid piece of genre thrills with an extremely compelling central character and performance. Those looking for a night of outlandish action and thrills should look no further than this “Nobody.” 4/5