Sunday, December 29, 2013

Movie review: Nebraska

Movie Review: Nebraska

Rated R
115 minutes
Directed by Alexander Payne

This was a very special experience for me. Nebraska was my first R-rated film that I saw in theaters. It was always going to have a special place in my heart, regardless of the quality. Nebraska was also my first Alexander Payne movie. I've heard great things about Payne, so that just set the expectations even higher. No film should've faced these expectations (Inside Llewyn Davis faces similar expectations), but I had them set. The question is, did Nebraska reach or fail the expectations?

Without a doubt, Nebraska reached them. It was smart, witty, and touching. It was very funny. It also had such a depth to it. It explores the aspects of a relationship between a father and son very well. Even though Dave, the son, knows that the million dollars Woody, the father, supposedly won is a complete scam, but Dave cares about his father that much to give Woody his last hurrah. The comedy in this film was never over-the-top, rather exploiting the odd humor that can come out of life. One of the recurring jokes had me rolling, not based on how funny it was, but rather how it showed the accuracy of life, and presented it in a comedic fashion. 2 of the comedic standouts in this movie were Bart and Cole, who, while not being played by amazing actors, were accurate representations of the American Hillbilly stereotype, and were exploited for comedy. And yet, the drama never felt overbearing. It always felt real, and never clashed with the comedy. The film was really good in black and white. It fit the tone of the film really well, and I couldn't imagine it being in color.

The performances were very good as well. Bruce Dern was incredibly good as Woody, as he showed the quiet sympathy that Woody imminently has. Will Forte wasn't incredibly showy, but it was the subtlety that really sold his performance. June Squibb was very good, although her character seemed a bit unbelievable. Would a character like Squibb's really be flashing a gravestone, considering how she thinks that the trip to Nebraska is ridiculous.

All in all, Nebraska was a very special experience for me. If the film was bad, it would've been a problem. I would've been incredibly depressed. Luckily, it was very good. Great performances, comedy, and drama were all around. Highly recommended.

4/5

B+

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