Sun 30 Jan 2022
NOBODY. Universal, 2021. Bob Odenkirk, Alexey Serebryakov, Connie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd, Michael Ironside. Director: Ilya Naishuller.
From all outward appearances, Hutch Mansell is a perfectly ordinary guy with a totally boring life. Up in the morning with his wife and two kids, off to work at some uninspired factory job, home again, and off to bed. Until, that is, a home invasion initiates a chain of events that has him (and his father, played by Christopher Lloyd) up against a Russian mobster whose only wish is to kill him.
Not so easily done, though. Mansell is not the wimp his current life says he is. The Russian mobster does not have a fighting chance. Mansell has a past life that’s apparently been a secret for some time, and once the secret’s out, it’s all out Gangbusters.
Audiences usually enjoy revenge movies – once Mansell’s family is threatened, there’s no stopping him – and this movie is no exception. It’s been quite popular, even with the critics.
I demur, however. The last rather lengthy scene in which the Russian kingpin and his dozens of minions are utterly wiped off the face of the earth? Lots and lots of firepower in this one. Me, I dozed off. Utterly boring — and yet, I admit, enjoyable enough if you’re into movies like this. Here’s another one.
January 30th, 2022 at 2:29 pm
It is great to hear Gangbusters mentioned.
I’ve been enjoying the 1940’s comic books, many of which are free online.
As for this film.
This whole film sounds remote from anything I would like.
I’ve enjoyed action films. Two favorites:
Speed.
Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
But this film doesn’t sound like anything as dynamic or kinetic as an “action” film.
January 30th, 2022 at 3:03 pm
Aside from the offbeat casting of Odenkirk, it was strictly by the numbers:
–Schlubby lead (put-upon suburban dad who works as an accountant for his father-in-law’s small business)? check
–The schlub is actually a former government assassin who jumps back into form when his family is threatened? check. (this was the springboard for the Matt Helm books 60+ years ago)
–Crass, murderous Russian heavies? check
The real surprise was learning that the actor playing Odenkirk’s father in law was Michael Ironside. I hadn’t seen Ironside in years, and I didn’t recognise him.
January 30th, 2022 at 5:07 pm
Mostly the offbeat casting is the attraction of this one. Nothing new or special save that the hero is played by an actor more associated with ordinary people than a Gibson, or Arnold, or any of the action stars who usually lead these.
Okay as mindless bang bang goes, but nothing more.
January 30th, 2022 at 8:50 pm
Also of note as one of the cast in this film is that Christopher Lloyd is in it. He must have been 82 or 83 when it was made. He’s finally playing characters who are younger than he is!
January 31st, 2022 at 8:03 am
I believe this is coming to HBO soon. I know Bill Crider would have loved it.
As for Lloyd, he is certainly keeping busy. We just saw him in THE TENDER BAR a couple of weeks ago.
January 31st, 2022 at 9:32 am
Right you are. It’s on HBO now. That’s where I watched it.
And yes, Christopher Lloyd is quite something. NOBODY is one four movies he was in last year:
Nobody
Senior Moment
Queen Bees
The Tender Bar
As well as two TV productions:
Next Stop, Christmas [Television film]
Expedition: Back to the Future [Series]