Nothing Personal (2009)

80% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
69% of users liked it
(1,074 ratings)

Alone in her empty flat, from her window Anne (Lotte Verbeek) observes the people passing by who nervously snatch up the personal belongings and pieces of furniture she has put out on the pavement. Her final gesture of taking a ring off her finger signals she is leaving her previous life in Holland… More Alone in her empty flat, from her window Anne (Lotte Verbeek) observes the people passing by who nervously snatch up the personal belongings and pieces of furniture she has put out on the pavement. Her final gesture of taking a ring off her finger signals she is leaving her previous life in Holland behind. She goes to Ireland, where she chooses to lead a solitary, wandering existence, striding through the austere landscapes of Connemara. During her travels, she discovers a house that is home to a hermit, Martin, (Stephen Rea). He is a man in his prime living a solitary life in a secluded house on a beautiful island. She is radical and uncompromising. He is wise and ironic. What connects them is solitude they both see as freedom. He proposes her to work for him in exchange of food. She agrees at one condition: there will be no personal contact between them, just work. Soon the two of them become curious about each other and want both: to keep their "nothing personal‟ deal and to break it. Their simple life follows the cycle of days and nights, work and rest but slowly brings the two of them closer to each other. Who will be the first one to break the deal? Urszula Antoniak's stunningly assured debut is touching, gentle and playful. But it takes a firm stand when it comes to negotiating individual freedom and the urge to still wanting be near to somebody - despite all wounds of a past we don't get to know in detail. An enigmatic beauty and confusion underlies this character study that should leave nobody unmoved.--© Olive Films

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: Urszula Antoniak
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 19, 2010 Limited
On DVD: Oct 4, 2011
Studio: Olive Films

Critic Reviews

Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
Not since Flashdance has a lobster dinner been seasoned with so much unspoken emotion.
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Director-writer Urszula Antoniak, in her first big-screen feature, keeps dialogue to a minimum while concentrating on visual style.
Ernest Hardy, Village Voice
The whole thing is a pleasure to watch, though, because Verbeek and Rea telegraph volumes of subtext beneath the dialogue they're given, speaking to the human need for emotional and physical contact -- and the fear of the responsibilities and costs.
Elias Savada, Film Threat
...a nice debut film, deliberately crafted, placidly powerful, and sensibly touching, with a dash of stubborn frivolity tossed in for effective measure.
Annlee Ellingson, Moving Pictures Magazine
An exquisite elegy to privacy and solitude.
Eric Monder, Film Journal International
Small-scale drama gains from its performances and location photography.
Chris Cabin, Filmcritic.com
subtle and composed
Nick Schager, Time Out New York
[Follows] a familiar path that's energized by subtle lead performances.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A meditative drama that explores in rich and rewarding ways the luxury of solitude in the lives of two strangers who both love being alone.
Bill Weber, Slant Magazine
Two loners in an Irish coastal house negotiate their emotional distance in this debut feature, with an implausible script undermining strong performances and visual ambition.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Rubia Carolina .

</br> Hard to talk about it. Easy to feel. (review soon.) </br> </br>
Ed Fucking H

A pretty good film from Ireland. The Irish countryside side truly was beautiful and both lead actors deliver subtle and believable performances. I appreaciated the way the characters relationship develops and where it goes. In stark contrast to most cinematic concepts of storytelling… More
A pretty good film from Ireland. The Irish countryside side truly was beautiful and both lead actors deliver subtle and believable performances. I appreaciated the way the characters relationship develops and where it goes. In stark contrast to most cinematic concepts of storytelling with a clear begining, middle and end. That being said while I enjoyed and appreaciated this movie on certain levels, I would be lying if I said that his movie didn't bore me a little as well. While I did appreaciate the anonynmity of there characters, as a viewer it is hard to realte to these characters knowing little to nothing about them except for what is automatically apparent. The end result is isolating for the viewer, but since I'm pretty sure that is what the filmmakers were going for I'm not going to be too harsh on that front. Worth seeing for fans of subtelty and realism in film.