Nebraska
Directed by Alexander Payne, whose back catalogue includes some pretty highly rated pieces of work (Sideways, About Schmidt and The Descendants), this is a heartfelt road movie.
Nebraska centres around Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) a Missouri father who’s losing his mind to old age, a tough life and booze. Convinced he’s won a million dollar in a junkmail subscription sweepstake, he is hell bent on making the 750 mile trip to Lincoln, Nebraska, and collecting the cash in person – even if it means walking all the way which he’d have to do given that he’s lost his license due to drinking. He also won’t listen to anyone that’s trying to tell him the prize is bogus. We first meet him as he hits the highway on foot, only to be stopped by local police.
Will Forte plays Woody’s son David who (after catching his Dad several more times trying to walk) takes it upon himself to drive Woody to Nebraska, to prove to him that there is no prize money. And this is where our movie really starts, as the first half of the first act has some pacing problems. But once they hit the road then this film finds its feet in a big way.
Nebraska has a small budget feel to it but to get the black and white movie that was released Payne and his cinematographer Phedon Papamichael shot this in digital widescreen, then had to digitally degrade the colour out of it, The result is an expertly directed and beautiful looking movie. The shots of the landscapes as each day starts are like a beautiful photo album. although the process did push the budget up to an estimated $12m. Payne has said he hopes no-one ever sees the original colour version (which was fully produced) and I agree with him. Dern’s gritty performance would be lessened with the warmth of colour.
For me, this is Bruce Dern’s best work and from a busy 50+ year career that’s no mean feat. He rarely gets a lead role and seemed to excel in this one, his performance was relaxed, fully rounded and on point throughout the two and a half hour run time. The man himself called this the role he’s waited 77 years to play.
Will Forte played his part well as the put upon youngest son but the scene-stealer was June Squibb, wife of Woody and Mother of David. Quick-tempered, foul-mouthed and brilliantly funny, she lit up every scene.
It was nominated for 6 academy awards in 2014: best picture, actor, supporting actress, director, screenplay and cinematography but unfortunately didn’t win any.
To sum up Nebraska it is sweet, endearing, touching and in parts absolutely hilarious (thank you, June Squibb for your comic timing). In a time of films that feel they have to leave you cold just to be called edgy this is about as heart warming as you can get. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
It’s on Netflix if you want to check it out
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