To many, this film at first glance maybe a film of not much substance, something about an aging borderline- demented man possibly suffering from dementia who has the insane idea of winning a million dollar sweepstakes prize; And through all of this he somehow manages to drag his family and the audience through this ridiculousness, in worst of settings- Nebraska! This film couldn’t be any worse, right? Well, just as with the state of Nebraska, there is more to this story about this man, than what the first glance offers.
This movie is actually a great, witty, film full of dark deadpan humor about an aging man named Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) who wants to reclaim his past, and erase all the mistakes of his past with the help of one elixir: That of a $1 million Sweepstakes prize. Not only does he wish to correct his past with this prize, but similar to Stephen Colbert’s book’s title, “America: Re-Becoming the Greatness we Never Were…,” Woody wants to become the greatness he never was- albeit with the help of his $1 million sweepstakes prize.
Though his sons and wife Kate ( played by June Squibb) does not wish for him to go on this journey to Omaha, Nebraska from Billings, Montana to get this prize, they realize after a few attempts of thwarting him, that there is no use to this, and his son David ( Bill Forte) agrees to take him there.
While in South Dakota, David tells Woody that he has notified Woody’s family that they will spend the night with Woody’s family in Hawthorne, Nebraska. Woody, vehemently opposes having to go through Hawthorne. And would rather go around Hawthorne to Omaha to seek his prize. But in life, as with other things, one never gets a free lunch. And if the universe wants Woody to get his prize or-rather- his-elixir, then he will have to deal with his past first.
Audiences soon realize that Woody’s origins were not ideal, and truths of Woody’s past are revealed. Some of which include Woody’s infidelity, his lack of love for his wife, his desire not to have children, his alcoholism, etc. Soon they encounter problems with friends and family ganging up father, son, and once Kate arrives her, about getting the money. Later, it is shown that Woody did not actually get the $1 million dollar prize. Upon discovering that Woody wanted to buy a truck with his savings, his son, trades in his car, with a truck for Woody to have. Then they make sure to drive through Hawthorne, where Woody’s former flame, ex-friend, and brother see him. Later, David and Woody switch seats later.. since an aging Woody has trouble with driving.
It was so interesting that Woody had such a dismal life. I cannot help but wonder if his interesting childhood/family life made me grow into a man who was uninterested about life. For instance, he did not want to have children and he wasn’t interested in getting married. He also seems to have picked the wrong people in his life, and let go of the right ones. It’s also evident that his wife and him aren’t the best fit. She is a lively character, who is the antithesis to Woody’s taciturn. She always seems to be interrupting Woody…while he passively lets it happen. Yet, his former love seems like a lovely sweet person who was a good fit for him, and yet he didn’t marry her. He also brought in a wrong business partner who stole something of his.
It’s also obvious that he sought escapes and elixirs in not the best way. He had an affair with a multiracial woman when he felt trapped and restless in his loveless marriage and had sought alcohol to fix his a lot of his problems. It is no surprise that this man who is drifting through life eventually thinks that a large sum of money will fix his large past.
It makes one think whether or not a lot of people, especially a lot of everyday people are drifting through life not fully realizing what they want, don’t make right choices in the process, never face those bad choices, and along the way they look for the erasers for the past. On that note, it also makes you wonder about the lottery system what winning the lottery means to people psychologically.
The ending is borderline neorealistic, evoking back memories of films such as The Bicycle Thief- albeit a bit more hopeful. I say it is neorealistic, because neorealistic films showcase reality, as life is- both the good and the bad; and the endings don’t always indicate what will happen next, or if things will be ok. They just show, life as is. Here in Nebraska the situation in Woody’s life, doesn’t look clearly resolved. I say that because he wanted a truck to drive in — but Woody cannot drive properly. So I don’t know if having the truck fixes everything. Yea, he was able to showoff to his friends and family.. but its not like the truck will do himself all that good if he cannot drive it.
Speaking of the truck, my favorite character was the truck getter himself, David or Bill Forte’s character. He seemed to be the most level-headed in the group of people who all evoked some serious headshaking. I am a person who is usually rooting for the the offbeat, unique, slightly crazy ( think Dwight Shrutes) in television or movies.. but for once, I rather go with the the level- headed of the group. David’s level-headed shines through , when he was sitting with the rest of the men in his father’s side of the family. All of them seemed a bit weird- especially the two cousins who sexually assaulted someone. And here was David, with his dark hair and big eyes innocently looking about. With both his immediate and extended family, David has an aura of the Greek Goddess Hestia about him because like Hestia he stays out of family trouble. He also managed to bring his parents closer together, defend his father against father’s former business partner, took time off from his own life to help his father, and finally traded his own car to get a truck in his father’s name. David didn’t seem the most emotionally effusive person- but clearly has a heart. Something that is admirable. But I am sure that, June Squibb was perhaps the audience’s most favorite character. And that Woody’s character gave the deadpan, dark comedy it’s tone.
On the note of dark, deadpan comedy I must say that this film’s comedic effect might not have been felt as much, had it not been for the the Black and White visuals of the film.
Now, some might say that the black and whiteness is a bit too much.. and tries to make the notion of a dark comedy- a little too obvious. But I say that the black- and whiteness makes the deadpanness of the comedy stronger, and somehow brings out the angular, stark quality of the humor even more. But then again, I am a bit biased
being an ardent lover of the Black and white medium.
As a side note, I wonder if we are having a Black and White film mini renaissance- in the last 5 years or so- there have been a few Black and White films made, which have all received critical acclaim. More Black and White films is something I wouldn’t mind..
I also think that this movie is just as much about the state of Nebraska and the midwest as it is about this family. Many people think these places are full of farms and sooo boring. But a movie like this shows, that excitement and drama can happen to anywhere.. even in places people unfortunately think are so boring. Once again, on a personal note, I am a little biased about Nebraska because I have been even though I have lived in over 5 states.. I have lately had an incurring to move to states like Nebraska. So once, maybe my personal biases are partially making me like the setting this story was set in..
But personal biases aside.. this movie is unarguably a must see, because it is a dark comedy at its best.
Stars: 5.0 out of 5.0
