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Nowhere Special

2020

Uberto Pasolini

James Norton, Daniel Lamont, Eileen O'Higgins, Chris Corrigan ...

6.9

1,774

Drama John, a 34-year-old window cleaner, devotes his life to raising his 4-year-old son Michael, as the child’s mother left them immediately after his birth. Their life is a simple one, made up of universal daily rituals, a life of complete dedication and innocent love that reveals the strength of their relationship. But John only has a few months to live. Since he has no family to turn to, he will spend the days left to him looking for a ... [+]

	Media	Author	Review
		Fionnuala Halligan Screendaily	"This tiny Northern Ireland-set tale into an almost sensory experience. Key to that is a keenly sympathetic performance by James Norton"
		Ian Freer Empire	"Hugely affecting and perfectly played, 'Nowhere Special' is a peach of a picture (…) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"
		Cath Clarke The Guardian	"It’s tender and poignant, but might be a bit cloying were it not for Norton, who underplays it beautifully with a performance of tremendous depth and empathy (…) Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)"
		Marta Bałaga Cineuropa	"Uberto Pasolini has already established himself as a master of eliciting gentle, quiet performances from his leads (...) It might be small and unassuming, but for the most part, 'Nowhere Special' has its heart in the right place."
		Kevin Maher The Times	"Norton delivers a towering masterclass in minimalism. It’s as if he finally gets it. The screen is his canvas, every close-up matters, every gesture has impact, and he owns them all (…) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"
		Charlotte O'Sullivan London Evening Standard	"By their nature, modest stories are easily overlooked. Give Pasolini’s 'little' film a chance, though, and the specialness of this project will blow you away (…) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"
		Tomris Laffly Variety	"Understated terminal illness drama earns your tears"
		Nell Minow rogerebert.com	"There are so many ways to go wrong with this story, which we are told was inspired by an unidentified real father and son. Writer/director Uberto Pasolini does not let that happen, relying on the most ordinary details to take on greater and greater weight (...) Rating: ★★★½ (out of 4)"
		Ann Lee Radio Times	"Prepare to have your heart gently warmed by this touching drama from Italian director Uberto Pasolini (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"
		Edward Porter The Sunday Times	"Even though some of the speeches sound too scripted, the film is affecting in its sure understanding of emotions (...) Rating: ★★★ (out of 5)"
		Simran Hans The Guardian	"A tender tale of fatherhood (...) James Norton gives a subtly powerful performance as a single parent facing terminal illness (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"
		David Stratton The Australian	"This unsentimental approach to potentially maudlin material is impressive (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"
		Christian Blauvelt IndieWire	"Tender, quiet adoption drama (...) Moments of kindness and humanity abound in this closely observed Northern Irish character study"
		Paul Byrnes Sydney Morning Herald	"Norton shows his depths here with a finely judged turn, bouncing between anger, frustration, affection and despair. It’s a strong film all around, poised and more delicately emotional than the subject might suggest (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"
		David Rooney The Hollywood Reporter	"The empathy it brings to one man’s crushing decision makes this an affecting portrait of parental devotion"
		Stefan Pape Common Sense Media	"This is an incredibly moving film that takes a unique and profound look at death, through the eyes of a parent (...) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"
		Pete Hammond Deadline	"'Nowhere Special' is something special indeed. If you aren't shedding well-earned tears by the end of this film you simply are not human"
		Jared Mobarak The Film Stage	"Uberto Pasolini crafts an understated, joyful tearjerker"
		Glenn Kenny rogerebert.com	"Norton is spectacular, but little Lamont delivers one of those uncanny performances that doesn't seem like acting"

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