When I was younger, I used to go through my grandmother’s mail with her. Every once in a while we would come across one of those contest entries claiming that she could win a large cash prize, when all they really wanted was to sell magazines or get her personal, private information. Sometimes we’d play along and scratch off the number combinations to see what her prize would be if she went along with the scam. But most of the time we treated these offers as junk mail and tossed them away.
In “Nebraska”, Woody Grant (played by Bruce Dern) has a different philosophy. He’s received a letter in the mail stating that he’s the winner of $1 million. And he believes it to be true. His son David (“Saturday Night Live” alum Will Forte) and frustrated wife realize that it’s completely false. But that doesn’t stop Woody. He’s determined to travel from his home Billings, Montana to Lincoln, Nebraska to claim his prize, even though he’s in poor health and can no longer drive. So David, against the wishes of the rest of the family, decides to take his dad on this road trip. Along the way they reunite with old family members and friends, learn a lot about them and a lot about each other.
“Nebraska” is beautifully directed by Alexander Payne, who shoots the film in black and white, which highlights not only the vast geography and settings but the true colors of the characters. This is one of the most intricate and engaging narratives of 2013. Payne lays-out what is, on the surface, a very simply story, yet you have no idea where it’s going next. The director, who dealt with similar issues of family, loyalty and greed in 2011’s powerful, “The Descendants”, makes fantastic decisions right to the end, with a perfect score supporting each memorable scene. He absolutely deserved his Best Director Oscar nomination.
Dern gives a rich performance as a man of few words, but unforgettable emotional control. “Nebraska” occasionally strays away from Woody when the rich group of supporting characters get involved. But when Dern is on screen you’re watching a master-class actor in top form. Forte is also excellent in a star-making dramatic role as a son trying to do what’s right, even though he knows it may be wrong. June Squibb provides some of the quirky, off-beat humor as Woody’s endlessly nagging, sarcastic wife. There are plenty of lighter moments in this serious family drama.
Stacy Keach as Woody’s old business partner and Bob Odenkirk as Woody’s other son, Ross lead a solid supporting cast. Unlike most movies about siblings and elderly parents, David and Ross
actually get along. And the black and white footage makes all the actors and extras look like authentic residents of America’s Heartland.
“Nebraska” is many things: a ‘father-son’ story, a comment about life, dreams and missed opportunities. And it’s one of the best films to come along in some time. Dern and Forte provide some of the most heartfelt on-screen moments of the year. It’s rated R for some language and adult references and is appropriate for teens and up.
On The Official LCJ Report Card, “Nebraska” gets an A-.