This is a piece of cinematographic art that oozes strong realism and deep humanity. It's darkly funny but also dramatically tough, and sometimes depressing in the way it depicts with no discounts the bleakness of a Midwestern family, where no trace of enthusiasm towards life and no hope are to be found. The characters are thoroughly depicted and superbly interpreted: the stubborn, alcoholic old man, the always complaining and brutal wife, the mild and caring son, and a whole world of miserable people around them. But despite the presence of different characters which help portray a specific tone and mood, the movie is more a father-son story than anything else, and the relationship between them is what touches most, but without a single hint of sentimentalism. The finale is really poignant with the idea that however insignificant one's life may seem, there is always some possible sense to be found and a bright side may arise from an aimless misadventure along the roads of a desolate land.
