 |
| Father and son bond on the road. |
“You’ve Just Won a Million Dollars!”
Most of us would instantly dismiss any mail bearing this unlikely proclamation. Not Woody Grant (a revelatory Bruce Dern). In Alexander Payne’s quietly poignant new film “Nebraska,” instead this promise of riches lights a fire under the old man. The very definition of curmudgeon, sporting wild, white hair, a weeks-old scruffy beard, and a permanently-puzzled expression, the sweepstakes letter sets the old man off on a quest from Billings to Lincoln, where he hopes to claim his treasure.
At first we find Woody wandering on the side of the highway. He intends to walk to the sweepstakes office. Never mind it’s two states away. He’s too old to drive any more, so if he has to walk to get there, he'll walk. All he wants with the winnings are a new truck (“But wait,” you say. “I thought he couldn’t drive?”; such is the charm of this movie), and to replace his long-lost air compressor. That’s it. But it’s enough to set in motion one of the best films of the year.
“Nebraska” is a father/son road movie. After failing to convince his dad the entire thing’s a ruse, Woody’s youngest son David (Saturday Night Live’s Will Forte, showing considerable dramatic range) reluctantly agrees to drive his pop to Lincoln. Woody won’t listen to reason, so how else to convince the old-timer it’s all just a ruse? Plus, David’s girlfriend’s just moved out, and his job selling stereo equipment is dreary. Some bonding time with dad might prove therapeutic. The pair set out across the vast plains, along the way passing through run-down gas stations, rest stops, cheap motels, and the small town where Woody grew up.
Most of the film takes place in the town. Woody hasn’t been back for years, but all the same people are in all the same bars and restaurants from when he left. When they ask what’s brought him back, Woody’s so confident that he’s won the money, he matter-of-factly tells them without the hesitation good sense would dictate. The news of untold fortune is the first bit of excitement the town’s known in forever. It causes such a stir that the local paper even writes a story about the small-town-boy-made-good. Everyone’s happy for Woody’s good fortune. At first.
However, what begins as the townsfolk’s jubilation and sincere happiness for Woody’s good fortune, soon turns to greed. People he hasn’t seen for decades—acquaintances, friends and even family members—line up, hoping to snag their part of the gravy train. Each has their own crazy excuse, justifying why Woody should pay them. None realize that there isn’t really any money. Part of the fun is watching the depths to which they’ll grovel for something that doesn’t even exist.
The entire trip comes to the chagrin of Woody’s firecracker of a wife, Kate (June Squibb). She thinks Woody is crazy for believing the scam is real, and David nuts for going along on the wild goose chase. Also, Kate has no verbal filter whatsoever. She recounts stories from their growing up years, where inevitably all the other small-town women are “whores,” “tramps,” and worse. In one of the film’s funniest lines, rather than keeping an embarrassing family secret quiet, she loudly outs a nephew for rape. She’s at once acerbic, and terribly funny.
Shot in black-and-white (props to cinematographer Phedon Papamichael), the imagery of the vast landscape is gorgeous. Seeing their little car putter along the highway, across a backdrop of such an expanse, conveys a sense of calm and contentment.
The way “Nebraska” understands small towns, as well as the bonds shared between their inhabitants is smart. It’s always insightful about the grudges and strains amongst family members. Thought I expected it to be a little slow, it’s surprisingly well paced. It’s also funnier than I thought it'd be, as well.
Even though Woody’s goal is a fool’s errand, there’s something worthwhile to be gained from the journey.
Most of us would instantly dismiss any mail bearing this unlikely proclamation. Not Woody Grant (a revelatory Bruce Dern). In Alexander Payne’s quietly poignant new film “Nebraska,” instead this promise of riches lights a fire under the old man. The very definition of curmudgeon, sporting wild, white hair, a weeks-old scruffy beard, and a permanently-puzzled expression, the sweepstakes letter sets the old man off on a quest from Billings to Lincoln, where he hopes to claim his treasure.
At first we find Woody wandering on the side of the highway. He intends to walk to the sweepstakes office. Never mind it’s two states away. He’s too old to drive any more, so if he has to walk to get there, he'll walk. All he wants with the winnings are a new truck (“But wait,” you say. “I thought he couldn’t drive?”; such is the charm of this movie), and to replace his long-lost air compressor. That’s it. But it’s enough to set in motion one of the best films of the year.
“Nebraska” is a father/son road movie. After failing to convince his dad the entire thing’s a ruse, Woody’s youngest son David (Saturday Night Live’s Will Forte, showing considerable dramatic range) reluctantly agrees to drive his pop to Lincoln. Woody won’t listen to reason, so how else to convince the old-timer it’s all just a ruse? Plus, David’s girlfriend’s just moved out, and his job selling stereo equipment is dreary. Some bonding time with dad might prove therapeutic. The pair set out across the vast plains, along the way passing through run-down gas stations, rest stops, cheap motels, and the small town where Woody grew up.
Most of the film takes place in the town. Woody hasn’t been back for years, but all the same people are in all the same bars and restaurants from when he left. When they ask what’s brought him back, Woody’s so confident that he’s won the money, he matter-of-factly tells them without the hesitation good sense would dictate. The news of untold fortune is the first bit of excitement the town’s known in forever. It causes such a stir that the local paper even writes a story about the small-town-boy-made-good. Everyone’s happy for Woody’s good fortune. At first.
However, what begins as the townsfolk’s jubilation and sincere happiness for Woody’s good fortune, soon turns to greed. People he hasn’t seen for decades—acquaintances, friends and even family members—line up, hoping to snag their part of the gravy train. Each has their own crazy excuse, justifying why Woody should pay them. None realize that there isn’t really any money. Part of the fun is watching the depths to which they’ll grovel for something that doesn’t even exist.
The entire trip comes to the chagrin of Woody’s firecracker of a wife, Kate (June Squibb). She thinks Woody is crazy for believing the scam is real, and David nuts for going along on the wild goose chase. Also, Kate has no verbal filter whatsoever. She recounts stories from their growing up years, where inevitably all the other small-town women are “whores,” “tramps,” and worse. In one of the film’s funniest lines, rather than keeping an embarrassing family secret quiet, she loudly outs a nephew for rape. She’s at once acerbic, and terribly funny.
Shot in black-and-white (props to cinematographer Phedon Papamichael), the imagery of the vast landscape is gorgeous. Seeing their little car putter along the highway, across a backdrop of such an expanse, conveys a sense of calm and contentment.
The way “Nebraska” understands small towns, as well as the bonds shared between their inhabitants is smart. It’s always insightful about the grudges and strains amongst family members. Thought I expected it to be a little slow, it’s surprisingly well paced. It’s also funnier than I thought it'd be, as well.
Even though Woody’s goal is a fool’s errand, there’s something worthwhile to be gained from the journey.
No comments:
Post a Comment