Movie Review: ‘Nebraska’ offers a refreshing change from recent movie trends

Originally Posted on Emerald Media via UWIRE

“Nebraska” is not the type of movie you expect to see now, especially next to the season’s other releases about singing ice princesses, and dystopian societies divided into districts. “Nebraska” is refreshing, which contradicts its black and white cinematography and a star who is age 77.

The film tells the story of Woody Grant and his son David. Woody receives an advertisement in the mail claiming he has won $1 million and needs to go claim his prize money in Nebraska. Woody refuses to believe the money is a junk-mail scam, so to spend time with him, but mostly to stop him from trying to go there himself, David agrees to drive Woody to Nebraska, resulting in a Midwest adventure, as well as a family reunion when the pair stops in Woody’s hometown of Lincoln. Sounds harshly simple, especially compared to the plot of “The Hobbit.”

The simplicity of the film is what makes it so engaging. The black and white aesthetic and minutes without dialogue showcase American regionalism in the heart of the stark Midwest. The humor of the film is surprising and razor sharp. There’s a tension between slightly demented Woody, played by Bruce Dern, and pragmatic David, played by Will Forte, a former SNL cast member, that actually puts you on the edge of your seat. Dern, who recently received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, also received “Best Actor” at the Cannes Film Festival, and rightly so.

One of the funniest images is a high-angle shot of Woody’s brother, Woody, his two nephews and David watching football in a living room. They’re awkwardly sipping beers and having two-word conversations while staring ghostly at the TV. With exchanges like, “How long did it take you to drive here?”/ “About two days,” the dialogue rivals that of a chance meeting with someone you went to high school with but haven’t spoken to in three years. Director Alexander Payne, whose previous works include Election (1999) and Sideways (2004), chose to cast retired farmers for many of these roles, adding to the film’s authenticity.

The film is a portrait of modern rural America and a take on family relationships, especially when money becomes relevant. In this way, it’s also starkly depressing. Woody’s wife, played by 84-year-old June Squibb, is a ruthless and surprisingly sexual gossip who borderline verbally abuses Woody. His nephews have recently served their stints in prison and the most exciting thing anyone has to talk about are trucks. The stark stasis of the characters’ lives makes you leave the theater with a renewed gratitude that you don’t live in a town of 1,000 in the Midwest.

It’s an interesting film to watch as a college student returning home. Woody and his wife return to their hometown years from when they left, creating scenes of haunting nostalgia. A touching aspect of the film is watching David and his brother deal with their aging father. It’s a reminder that one day, you may have to locate your father’s dentures on a railroad track, and the inevitable parent/child switcheroo, where kids grow up and take care of their parents.

“Nebraska” has racked up a slew of award nominations, including five Golden Globes and six Independent Spirit awards. And you can see it with Grandpa.

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