Movie

Nebraska (film): artsy, but a bit on the boring side

Name: Nebraska (film): artsy, but a bit on the boring side
Item: Nebraska
Author: @gooddream

Review by @gooddream · 2870d · of Nebraska

Every now and then a film comes out that after watching it I can say without a hint of reservation that "these people went fishing for awards." Nebraska is one of those movies. It is a good movie, don't get me wrong, but it kind of depends on the individual about whether or not you have the patience to make it through the whole thing.

The movie features a spectacular performance by Bruce Dern who plays Woody Grant, a slightly deranged alcoholic with a checkered past who receives a "sweepstakes" letter in the mail telling him he won a million dollars. Now, if you are North American you are already familiar with these mass mailers as we all know they are a scam to get people to buy magazine subscriptions. However, Woody will not listen to reason and not only does he refuse to believe anyone who tells him that he hasn't genuinely won a million bucks, but he is also insistent on getting to where the letters are coming from, Lincoln, Nebraska, in order to claim his prize in person.

The entire film is done in black and white and focuses real heavily on the bonds of family and i was surprised to see Will Forte in the role of David, Woody's son. Will is almost exclusively involved in comedy projects and is an SNL veteran. Therefore, I have to say I was quite impressed with his transition into a film that while it has some comedic moments, is not a comedy for the most part.

I spent the earlier parts of my life living in this part of the world, and I actually went to elementary school in Lincoln, Nebraska. Therefore i was carefully watching to see if they correctly portrayed what are my own memories of that part of the world. I think they did a good job representing small town Americana. The portrayal of mid-westerners being kind but no-nonsense, the almost complete lack of interest in fashion, and having simple houses filled with useless knick-knacks (no offense mid-westerners, but it's true) is quite accurate. Some people might view this as the film mocking these people but get past that, because I don't believe that is the case. Most of my relatives still live in this part of the world and to suggest this isn't an accurate part of their lives would be a lie. If you tried to give my uncles a caramel macchiato or a micro brew, they would likely throw it at you then go get a Michelob.

The artistry in this film is evident and the family bonding of it is touching - it just has a bit of a very slow progression. The movie is good, but I think that you need to be the sort of person that is looking for art in a movie to appreciate it. There is virtually no action and the movie is dialogue-driven. I liked it, but I can also see why other people would switch it off after shouting "get on with it already!" at the screen. Oh and Bob Odenkirk is in it for a bit and that is always a welcome addition.

7 / 10

Comments · 9

@bharat273(45)· 2869d
Hiii...gooddream

Great Post with perfect review.
@ikar59(54)· 2870d
I suppose is a good movie to watch at home someday, if it just can engage some viewers since the beggining, but I don't know if it can do that
@kwadjobonsu(61)· 2870d
"Nebraska" starts as a road movie, with a father and son traveling from Billings, Montana to Lincoln, Nebraska. David (Will Forte) has decided to indulge his father Woody (Bruce Dern), who is struggling with dementia and thinks that he can pick up his $1 million in winnings from a magazine distributor in Lincoln. En route, they stop for the weekend in Hawthorne, Dern's hometown, where they're joined by his wife (June Squibb), and his other son (Bob Odenkirk) amidst your stereotypical Midwestern relatives and friends, all of whom are extremely interested to learn that there's now a millionaire before them.

The central relationship between Dern's stubbornly gullible dad and Forte's passively irritated son gradually deepens as the movie makes its way through middle America. What makes the film such a delight to watch are the individuality of its characters. Each one is fun to watch in their own right; the father's relentless determination, the mother's humorous outbursts, and the son's sympathy and desire to bond with his father. "Nebraska" reaches an emotional conclusion that echoes of "About Schmidt" and "The Descendants" (2011) with an underlying sense of lives largely squandered, but handled with grace and finesse that feels innately genuine. "Nebraska" is another finely tuned, superior slice of cinema crafted by Alexander Payne who achieves a more mature, sentimental tone than previous films. The all-around marvelous performances from the cast and supporting non-professional actors add an unmistakable authenticity to this slice of Americana.
@rodneysreviews(53)· 2870d
"I actually went to elementary school in Lincoln, Nebraska"

That makes me sit up and listen, and I'm especially glad you don't think the film badmouths Nebraska.

It definitely does portray some negative things about Stacy Keach's Ed Pegram character, and about lots of other people being so desperate for money that their humanity crumbles under the weight of their greed and despair, but I suspect that it true everywhere, not just Nebraska, and I think the title Nebraska is trying to find something universal in the specific.

The walk and talk style of art-movie filmmaking that Alexander Payne achieved so brilliantly in "Sideways" does suffer some under the weight of contrivance here, with the set-up of the million dollar claim being extremely hard to buy.

That said, the consideration of the inevitability of the ravages of time, especially, but also the themes regarding the lack of opportunities in poor communities, the taciturn unquestioning ways many of us live our lives, the reliance on alcohol and distractions (the scene where an extended family all watch tv silently drinking their lives away is beautifully done), and the focus on how precious and fleeting opportunities to bond with our family can be, all these themes are sensitively and exquisitely handled.

It is interesting to compare this film with "Shaun of the Dead," also reviewed by you today, in which genre-bending allows such themes to be handled in a far more entertaining manner.

It is arguable that Shaun grabs and holds audiences that this one will lose, due to it's sparse and undramatic plot, but that the audiences that DO stick with this one, through the boring bits, may find their lives more enriched, and their thoughts lingering more on truths told, than in the genre picture .

Like you, I was impressed by Will Forte's work here. Bruce Dern is a known phenomenon, but Will Forte, who knew!? :)
@gametestplay(48)· 2870d
I rented a house with a bunch of knick-knacks. Stupid porcelain dolphins took us hours to box and throw in the attic. It's like they wanted guests to feel uncomfortable walking around.
@aydogdy(58)· 2870d
The road, long in life, weaves human destinies into an unpretentious bundle from the canvas of emotions, the luggage of past memories and the realization that there is nothing higher and stronger than the family. There is nothing more precious and never will be. For this is holy, and while there are those who believe, who love, who respects - the fire of hope will not fade, the shoulder will always be there, and the native hand will always support. This magnificent amazing movie about the sources of great happiness, which is given to us from above. About the hopes that are dying out in some and ignited in others. Such simple, so painfully native, with respect to our fathers, mothers - all those who loved us. Sometimes it is incomprehensible and in own way, but with all my heart. They need so little for happiness, our dear old people. It's just that we were close, although sometimes they even occasionally gave them a piece of that warmth that they gave us for many years of our still beginning life. So do not be angry, do not be angry and do not forget. Cinema about great values, about such simple, but such important. In truth, Oscar, worthy of the worthy, to the brim filled with love, sincerity, boundless love and reverence for their old people. Such films should become international property. Filled with sense, kindness, morality, and not stuffed with politics, ethnic strife, drugs or disgusting vulgarity. Nebraska is incredibly bright and sparkling with the kindness of the cinema, which educates us with prudence and the ability to love infinitely love no matter what.
@roki112(53)· 2870d
Not a bad movie. Slow, but likable and relatable. Parts of it was pretty funny. Didn't care that it was in black and white at all, didn't notice after a bit. The whole vulture reference once the Town of Hawthorne found out he won a million is actually quite realistic. Real lottery winners have confirmed this actually happening. A lot of old people in this movie acting, well....old. I hang out with my grandma every week, along with other people over 70 and I can tell you that the way they move, talk and act; is just like this. Oh and how the circus ensues or it's just a snooze fest when there's a family reunion with a boat load of old folks. I really took away from this movie that sometimes us younger generations need to just relax and humor the older generation. They fall, can't drive, and may not have the same thought processes they use to. One day, we will be them and it's best we remember that.
@prince121(61)· 2870d
Absolutely fantastic trip through the dynamics and proclivities of a realistic American Midwest family as they interact with others. The film can move rather slow, and not everyone is going to "get it". Yet I was moved by the portrayal of sinners such as I being brought to a place of reconciliation with each other. I was so impressed with the portrayal of the younger son as he learned about his dad and mom's younger days, and with how he courageously showed grace to his dad, and stood up for his family. I felt great as it ended.
@black-horse(58)· 2870d
Awesome Movie!