Nebraska
(2013)
Directed by- Alexander Payne
Written by- Bob Nelson
*Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb, Bob Odenkirk, Stacy Keach
Alexander Payne's Nebraska starts beautifully as a senile and slightly dazed Woody starts walking to another city to reclaim a grand prize he believes he's won. Intercepted by a cop, Woody is handed back to his family.
Two more attempts later, his younger son takes it upon himself to drive Woody to Lincoln just so he would shut up, also hoping, secretly, to spend some time alone with his father.
And so, the heartwarming Nebraska begins and we encounter these lovely characters along a bittersweet road trip.
Payne constructs scene upon scene to fully explore the people his film deals with, and in this he succeeds brilliantly as it is these people who form the life of this uneventful little story.
We step into the town of Hawthorne and instantly take to the bar and old acquaintances, the forgotten girlfriends and the estranged family. Like it was always there and we knew it.
It is the charm of this lost era which arrests you.
The deserted streets, the dilapidated farms, the sleepy bars, Nebraska is an atmospheric western. And it is this western sensibility that it totes which grows over you with time.
The story moves at an easy pace and loses its grip for a bit at the end of the second there, but regains full control as we move towards the beautiful ending.
Payne's subtle direction coupled with Bruce Dern's surreal performance as the lost and confused Woody Grant, takes the film to another level, severely unmatched by its restrained story.
Also Will Forte ably supports in a good role.
The music and the camerawork are the perfect companions for this atmospheric piece and contribute to make it work the way it does.
The black and white cinematography adds to the old world charm this film so fabulously celebrates.
A remarkable little film, which sweeps you away with its mood and silent charm and gives us characters to love and a time to reminisce.
Rating- 4.3/5
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