AllMovie

Insignificance is confusing, fascinating, and sometimes irritating. A fantasy about the meeting of four famous characters and a meditation on the meaning of celebrity, relationships, loneliness, and the inability to communicate, it's a challenging film that ultimately doesn't make much sense but which burrows into the viewer's mind and stays with him long after the film is over. Blessed with director Nicolas Roeg's unique visuals, the story stops at many points for flashbacks/digressions that sometimes add to our enjoyment and sometimes detract from it, including a final lengthy "bomb" segment that is quite disturbing, as well as a marvelous Marilyn Monroe calendar sequence. If Roeg is not interested in illuminating Terry Johnson's screenplay, he clearly is interested in pulling some first-rate performances from his actors. Theresa Russell's Monroe is no imitation but a carefully wrought distillation, and Michael Emil's Einstein is vulnerable and boyish. Gary Busey struggles a bit with DiMaggio, but overall is fine. Best is Tony Curtis, unafraid to chew any scenery in sight as McCarthy, and delivering one of his bravest performances as a result. Insignificance is not everyone's cup of tea, but it's a memorable experience.