It’s been about 2 years (2011’s The Artist) since a black and white film graced the big screen. So leave it to Alexander Payne, the acclaimed director of such character-study films as Sideways and The Descendants, to create a story so quirky, it’s captivating. Nebraska tells the story of Woody Grant (Bruce Dern), an aging, alcoholic senior, who believes he’s won a million dollars. Early on, it’s clear that Woody is confusing his “winning lottery ticket” with your average junk mail promotion. Set on claiming his prize, Woody sets out on foot from his home in Billings, Montana to Lincoln, Nebraska, and doesn’t let anybody stand in his way. Afraid of his unrealistic determination, Woody’s son David (Will Forte) decides to accompany his dad and the two set out on a road trip, discovering along the way more about the other and themselves.
What is interesting about Nebraska is its feel, staged more like a play than a movie, which should leave fans of Payne’s pleasantly surprised.
Though Woody is a man of few words, Bruce Dern does an excellent job of portraying his character in a sympathetic way. His silent facial expressions alone are award worthy, making for a lived-in performance (Dern won the best actor award for Nebraska at this year’s Cannes Film Festival). Meanwhile, Will Forte’s steadier rhythms as David counterbalance those of Dern’s effectively, lifting a character who might have otherwise been seen as flat. Usually known for his comedic roles, Forte keeps more of a straight face in Nebraska. Bob Odenkirk of “Breaking Bad” notoriety plays Forte’s brother, Ross. He was a perfect choice for the role, although he doesn’t have as much screen time as one will hope. A few characters seem like novice actors, which took me out of the film, but other than the occasional awkward line delivery, Nebraska has a neatly packaged cast.
Not necessarily a comedy, not really a drama, Nebraska delivers in its realistic look at a dysfunctional family. The black and white look is an artistic touch, although I believe the film could have benefitted from a saturated color palette. Road trip movies driving through the middle of nowhere are a little dull when they’re shot in tones of gray. What is interesting about Nebraska is its feel, staged more like a play than a movie, which should leave fans of Payne’s pleasantly surprised.
