"Nebraska" was nominated for a ton of Oscars, though it received none. This isn't surprising, since the film is exceptionally well made but is also NOT the sort of film the average viewer would enjoy or even pick in the first place. As for me and my lovely wife, we both had a very nice time watching this strange slice of life film.
Bruce Dern plays Woody Grant--a somewhat confused old man who insists he's won a million dollars from a Publisher's Clearinghouse type of giveaway. However, he's just received a form letter and fake certificate. No matter how much his wife and sons tell him, Woody insists he's going to Lincoln, Nebraska to collect HIS money--even though it's at least a 12 1/2 drive to the town from Billings, Montana. So, again and again, Woody sneaks off--and tries walking to Lincoln! Eventually, in desperation, his son David (Will Forte) agrees to take him. However, along the way they make a fateful decision to stop by a town where Woody and the family lived a long, long time ago. What's going to happen there? See the film--I really don't want to spoil the surprise.
The film is a slow, gentle affair. The music is appropriate and the acting always seems very natural. However, it did seem a bit strange that Dern was nominated for Best Actor, as Will Forte really was more the star of the movie. I guess we can chalk it up to aging actors and the Oscars syndrome. In other words, the AMPAS folks who pick the awards, LOVE nominating or awarding actors who have long paid their dues but who haven't gotten an Oscar--such as John Wayne for "True Grit" (not one of his best films) or Geraldine Page for "Trip to Bountiful". In fact, it's a film with no one dominant star--just lots and lots and lots of wonderful little performances.
If you don't mind your humor VERY dry and aren't looking for explosions, boobs or mega-stars, then I suggest you try "Nebraska"--it just came out on DVD and is also available through Netflix.
Bruce Dern plays Woody Grant--a somewhat confused old man who insists he's won a million dollars from a Publisher's Clearinghouse type of giveaway. However, he's just received a form letter and fake certificate. No matter how much his wife and sons tell him, Woody insists he's going to Lincoln, Nebraska to collect HIS money--even though it's at least a 12 1/2 drive to the town from Billings, Montana. So, again and again, Woody sneaks off--and tries walking to Lincoln! Eventually, in desperation, his son David (Will Forte) agrees to take him. However, along the way they make a fateful decision to stop by a town where Woody and the family lived a long, long time ago. What's going to happen there? See the film--I really don't want to spoil the surprise.
The film is a slow, gentle affair. The music is appropriate and the acting always seems very natural. However, it did seem a bit strange that Dern was nominated for Best Actor, as Will Forte really was more the star of the movie. I guess we can chalk it up to aging actors and the Oscars syndrome. In other words, the AMPAS folks who pick the awards, LOVE nominating or awarding actors who have long paid their dues but who haven't gotten an Oscar--such as John Wayne for "True Grit" (not one of his best films) or Geraldine Page for "Trip to Bountiful". In fact, it's a film with no one dominant star--just lots and lots and lots of wonderful little performances.
If you don't mind your humor VERY dry and aren't looking for explosions, boobs or mega-stars, then I suggest you try "Nebraska"--it just came out on DVD and is also available through Netflix.