No. 27 (2022) NOWHERE SPECIAL. MARCH 29th.

 

Film No. 27 (2022)  March 29th.  2.40 PM   Cinema 8.  LUNA,  Leederville. 

"For me it is a love story. The story of a father, completely devoted to his little boy. Their relationship is trusting, uncompromising. A love story."(Director Uberto Pasolini describes the major theme of his film during an interview on Australian radio).

Here is a high calibre morality story, played out on-screen, with the potential to linger for days in your thoughts. Warning; i) If James Norton of GRANDCHESTER (BBC T.V.) fame has attracted your attention for more of the same or ii) You only go to the movies to have fun and not to cry; then give NOWHERE SPECIAL a wide berth. You'll be disappointed. 

Italian director Uberto Pasolini (STILL LIFE, THE FULL MONTY (Prod)) does not waste a frame or indulge in sub-plots to tell the heart breaking tale of John, a window cleaner dying of an incurable disease. The complication is, John is the sole parent to 4 year old Michael. His overwhelming responsibility is to find a home for Michael. Pasolini wastes none of the 95 minutes with sub-plots or asides. We learn of a father's unconditional love for his son; and make no mistake, Daniel Lamont as Michael will steal your heart, completely.

This story is inspired by the real case of a U.K. father. It's an easy story to Google but the premise of a dying father finding a family for his son is the only similarity. Pasolini read a news article about Nick Rose (40), a jovial dad who got a 9 month prognosis. That became his time limit to devote to finding a home for son, Logan. 

Norton is the star in NOWHERE. We are never in doubt about John's predicament or what his next move might be. The camera says it all: A glimpse of his medicine cabinet. A look through a window (one he is cleaning) into a family's life. Michael spreading a blanket over his sleepy dad. The look on the face of a prospective mum as she shows her real self. The dialogue is sparse. It doesn't matter. 

This film deeply affected me. I felt a thorough appreciation for a film that made no bones about how it wanted you to feel. This will not be to everyone's taste. And who did John choose as Michael's family? The four choices are diverse, so depending on how you see the world, you may be surprised with his choice; we weren't. 11GUMS.