Mr. Nobody (2013) - Quotes

The Possibility of Unmade Choices

Taglines: As long as you don't choose, everything remains possible.

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The Nature of Reality and Possibility

Taglines: Nothing is real, everything is possible.

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The Paradox of Choice in Chess

Nemo aged 9: In chess, it's called Zugzwang... when the only viable move...

Nemo aged 118: ...is not to move.

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The Meaning of Life's Choices

Young journalist: Everything you say is contradictory. You can't have been in one place and another at the same time. Of all those lives, which one is the right one?

Nemo aged 118: Each of these lives is the right one! Every path is the right path. Everything could have been anything else and it would have just as much meaning.

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Struggling with Love and Regret

Nemo adult: What's wrong?

Elise: I was dreaming about Stefano. He doesn't give a damn about me. I love him. There can't be any other explanation for being in this state. I don't know what it could be. I'm not happy. I'm going crazy. Every morning when I wake up, I rub my eyes and I see your face and I start crying. I realise that my life is passing me by. How can you stay so calm? How can you be like that? You're not human! I don't know what to do! It's not my fault, right? You're not gonna leave me, are you?

Nemo adult: No no no, I love you!

Elise: I hurt everybody! I hurt you, the children... this can't go on.

Nemo adult: Together we can do it.

Elise: Then you're all gonna end up drowning with me.

Nemo adult: We'll learn to swim. I love you.

Elise: I love you.

Nemo adult: I love you...

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A Simple Conversation About Car Maintenance

Elise: What are you doing today?

Nemo adult: I was thinking about taking the opportunity to wash the car.

Elise: What's the deal with that car?

Nemo adult: What do you mean?

Elise: Why do you take such good care of that car while you leave me here all alone? What's the problem with the car?

Nemo adult: [goes outside to set the car on fire, then goes back to Elise] There's no more problem with the car.

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Conversations on the Dullness of Mars

Nemo aged 15: [narrating] Probably the worst thing about being on Mars is that nothing will happen there. Time will seem stale and empty.

Man: [looking out over Mars] It doesn't look like there is much to do. I hope I brought enough Sudoku.

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The Desire to Halt Time in Love

Anna aged 15: You're the first and last person I'll ever love.

Nemo aged 15: Ten days... That makes 14,400 minutes... I wish time would stop right now, that it would stay this way forever.

Anna aged 15: They say if you slow your breathing, time slows down. The Hindus say so.

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Ambitious Dreams and Determined Choices

Nemo aged 9: [narrating] On that day, i would make a lot of silly decisions.

Nemo aged 15: One; I will never leave anything to chance again. Two; I will marry the girl on my motorcycle. Three; I'll be rich. Four; we'll have a house. A big house, painted yellow, with a garden. And two children, Paul and Michael. Five; I'll have a convertible. A red convertible! And a swimming pool, I'll learn to swim. Six; I will not stop until I succeed!

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Expressions of Love and Understanding

Nemo adult: [on telephone] I'm gonna be a little late.

Anna: It's okay, don't worry.

Nemo adult: I love you.

Anna: I love you more.

Nemo adult: Me more.

Anna: Me more.

Nemo adult: Okay.

Anna: Cheater!

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Teenage Curiosity and Social Dynamics

Nemo aged 15: How did you know my name?

Elise aged 15: We go to the same school. You never notice me, you never notice anyone. Do you have a girlfriend? What, are you queer? Why don't you have a girlfriend?

Nemo aged 15: I don't know... I don't want one.

Elise aged 15: [waits then starts to leave] Do you know how to talk? Well say something.

Nemo aged 16: Gravity on Mars is 0,38. That's three times less than on Earth. The ground is covered with iron-oxide dust.

Elise aged 15: [turns to face Nemo] You're incredible. Raise your hand and say I swear'. Promise me that when I die, you'll scatter my ashes on Mars.

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The Burden of Knowing the Future

Nemo aged 15: Sometimes I can see the future.

Anna aged 15: Doesn't sound like it'd be much fun to know what's going to happen.

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Casual reunion between old friends

Nemo adult: [meets by chance at the train station] Anna!

Anna: Nemo... how have you been?

Nemo adult: I'm fine, how are you?

Anna: Yeah, good.

Nemo adult: Are they your kids?

Anna: [awkward silence] Yeah... Well, see you around.

Nemo adult: Yeah, uh... See you around.

Nemo aged 15: [narrating] What on earth made me say I don't go swimming with idiots?

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A Teenage Disagreement Over Swimming Plans

Anna aged 15: You wanna go for a swim? Come on, it'll be...

Nemo aged 15: No, I...

Anna aged 15: Come swim with us, they're my friends. Come on.

Nemo aged 15: They're idiots. I don't go swimming with idiots.

Anna aged 15: [leaves] Jerk.

Nemo aged 15: [narrating] What on earth made me say I don't go swimming with idiots?

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The Uncertainty of Predicting the Future

Nemo aged 15: [to Harry] It will happen on a Saturday. You will be behind the wheel of your car, you are whistling. You do not see the crossroads. All of a sudden, a train will hit from your left and you will be crushed.

Nemo's mother: [turns to Harry] You're not funny! Nemo thinks he can predict the future.

Nemo aged 15: I can.

Nemo's mother: No one can predict the future, no one knows what's going to happen!

Nemo aged 15: I do.

Nemo's mother: [slaps his face] Well if you could, you'd know you were going to get that.

Nemo aged 15: I knew you'd say that.

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Reflections on Mortality and Obsolete Experiences

Nemo aged 118: I've got nothing to say to you. I'm Mr. Nobody, a man who doesn't exist.

Young journalist: Do you remember what the world was like before telomerization? Quasi-immortality? What was it like when humans were mortals?

Nemo aged 118: There were cars that polluted. We smoked cigarettes. We ate meat. We did everything we can't do in this dump and it was wonderful! Most of the time nothing happened... like a French movie.

Young journalist: And, um, sexually? Before sex became obsolete.

Nemo aged 118: Ha, ha! We screwed! Everybody was always screwing. We fell in love... we fell in love.

The Mystery of Mr. Nobody's Identity

TV host: Now doctor, no trace of his identity has been found in the national records, nothing about his past.

Dr. Feldheim: We don't know who Mr. Nobody is, neither does he. Our patient's memories are confused. But it is not unusual at a certain stage of illness for very old memories to emerge in great detail.

Existential Reflections on Life and Choices

Jean: [reads note] Nemo, do I matter to you? I'd just like to ask you one question. Did you do it on purpose? I found this on the bedside table. There comes a time in life where everything seems narrow. Choices have been made. I can only continue on. I know myself like the back of my hand. I can predict my every reaction. My life has been cast in cement with airbags and seatbelts. I've done everything to reach this point and now that I'm here, I'm fucking bored. The hardest thing is knowing whether I'm still alive.

Nemo adult: [looks at note] It is my handwriting. I don't remember.

The Paradox of Knowledge and Choice

Nemo Nobody: Before, he was unable to make a choice because he didn't know what would happen. Now that he knows what will happen, he is unable to make a choice.

The Weight of Choices and Consequences

Nemo Nobody: If you mix the mashed potatoes and sauce, you can't separate them later. It's forever. The smoke comes out of Daddy's cigarette, but it never goes back in. We cannot go back. That's why it's hard to choose. You have to make the right choice. As long as you don't choose, everything remains possible.

Reflections on Age and Identity

Nemo Nobody: Urgh, you're still here? Did I fall asleep? Sometimes I don't sleep so I think... I think about how it was... and all I have left. What do you see when you look at me? A grumpy old man who never answers questions? Who mixes everything up? Who's kept busy by getting his meals? That's not me. Me... I wear shorts. I'm nine years old. I can run faster than the train. I can't feel my aching back anymore. I'm fifteen. I'm fifteen and I'm in love.

Connection Between Humans and Fish

Nemo Nobody: [narrating while in his car underwater] I always liked fish. I never thought that one day they would like me too.

The Importance of Living Fully

Nemo Nobody: I'm not afraid of dying, I'm afraid I haven't been alive enough. It should be written on every school room blackboard; life is a playground or nothing.

Identity and Memory in Mr. Nobody

Nemo Nobody: Sometimes people call me Mr. Craft. C-R-A-F-T. Can't Remember A Fucking Thing.

The Importance of Choosing Wisely

Nemo Nobody: You have to make the right choice. As long as you don't choose, everything remains possible.

The Forgotten Knowledge Before Birth

Nemo Nobody: I can remember a long time ago. Long before my birth. I was waiting with those who were not yet born. When we're not born yet, we know everything. Everything that will happen. When it's your turn, the Angels of Oblivion place a finger on your mouth. "Shh..." It leaves a mark on the upper lip. It means that you have forgotten everything. But the angels missed me.