“The secret of a long life is to try not to shorten it.” —Nobody
Today’s quick review: My Name Is Nobody. After a long career, legendary gunfighter Jack Beauregard (Henry Fonda) wants nothing more than to sail to Europe and retire. But his plans are sidetracked when he meets Nobody (Terence Hill), a young man who has idolized Jack all his life. Nobody explains that he wants to make sure Jack goes down in the history books for one last feat: taking on the 150-strong band of outlaws known as the Wild Bunch.
My Name Is Nobody is a Western comedy about the peculiar relationship between an old-school gunslinger and his biggest fan. As far as Jack Beauregard is concerned, the story is simple. Dodging outlaws and assassins, Jack hunts down his old partners to collect the money he needs to retire. But Nobody throws a wrench in his plans, setting Jack up to have one last, legendary battle with the Wild Bunch—whether Jack wants to or not.
My Name Is Nobody dances between a classic Western in the Italian mold and a playful comedy. The serious side of the plot functions exactly the way it should: tense gunfights, inventive sources of danger, and a robust soundtrack by Ennio Morricone. Henry Fonda fills out the role of Jack Beauregard perfectly, a seasoned fighter with a quick draw and a calm demeanor. If not equal to the greatest cowboy heroes, Jack is at least cut from the same cloth.
But the movie’s comedic side is where My Name Is Nobody distinguishes itself. Terence Hill delivers a quirky, captivating performance as Nobody, a young man who moves through the world in strange ways. His relationship with Jack is almost unique: a fan who wants to see his idol accomplish his greatest feat, even if it kills him. The interplay between the two gives the movie its character, while Nobody’s antics help keep the tone light.
My Name Is Nobody is not in the same caliber as the very best of the Western genre, but it puts its own spin on the genre’s conventions while maintaining a high degree of craftsmanship. As such, My Name Is Nobody will hold appeal for most fans of the genre, exploring new ideas through Nobody’s character while keeping enough of a conventional story to feel worthwhile. For a more serious Western in the same vein, try Once Upon a Time in the West.
[7.5 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070215/). I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for a memorable premise, satisfying craftsmanship, and a pair of strong performances.