Monday, February 3, 2014

Nebraska



Actually, the movie has nothing to do with the state. True, they are going to Nebraska. Even pass by the state line slogan..THE GOOD LIFE. Actually, Nebraska is used as a metaphor..just to state..in the middle ..of life.


You don’t ask Woody Allen or Spike Lee why they want to shoot in New York, or Paul Thomas Anderson or Quentin Tarantino why they want to shoot in LA., or Claude Lelouch why he wants to shoot in Paris. I happen to be from here and, like many writers and filmmakers, at least earlier in your career, you want to explore the mystery of the place you’re from – those early buttons, how it haunts you.
— 
Alexander Payne, on shooting in Nebraska

Its a story of a father and son journey, that looks at the past. All these little secrets come to the service and we see it through Will Forte's eyes as David Grant watching his aged father played by Bruce Dern as Woody Grant.

The movie is shot in black and white. Alexander Payne always has a way of showing the world his way. And he does it so genuinely with long shots of family gathering. How one generation of fine old men watching a football game have churned out a new generation we just might speculate as not the best boys in town.

Payne does take the quite ordinary that you might let pass by if you aren't really watching the little things.

David Grant has not found real love in his own life and as he listens to his Dad, its easy to say that his pop didn't even need it. One might wonder what he found in that fowl mouthed wife of his played by the wonderful June Squibb who is actually a friend of Alexander Payne's mother. She's up for an Oscar as best actress. Certainly, she is over the top in this movie. Tired of chasing after an old man who won't stay home and full of stories how everyone wanted to get in her pants when she was younger.

The film also has Stacey Ketch who used to own a business with Woody back in their hometown. Now when he gets wind that Woody has won a million bucks, he wants his share of it. This movie is a whimsical ride of the past, the present and the future.

Of course, Woody thinks he won a million bucks and needs to get to Lincoln Nebraska to get it. Truly, its a story that might hit home more than some of us even want to bother with. But there is this one cherished moment that I'm sure many will never find in the movie..but for a split second you see it..right there on the town street.

There was a love once, but one must wonder if Woody ever thought he deserved it. Hopefully, Davey noticed. He's a loving son. All his dad really wanted was to give him something in the end. And maybe he did. If only for a moment. But don't worry, its really not a sad story. Instead, there is wit and lots of sly humor in the film.

Storyline: "NEBRASKA" is a father and son road trip, from Billings, Montana to Lincoln, Nebraska that gets waylaid at a small town in central Nebraska, where the father grew up and has scores to settle. Told with deadpan humor and a unique visual style, it's ultimately the story of a son trying to get through to a father he doesn't understand.

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2 comments:

  1. It definitely sounds interesting; just not my personal cup of tea.

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. sounds interesting... never heard of it b4!
    xo
    MOSAMUSE

    www.MOSAMUSE.com

    ReplyDelete

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