Review of Nebraska (2013) by Tyson S — 31 Dec 2015

You have won $1,000,000... if you have and return the winning numbers. Bruce Dern's character, Woody Grant, focuses on the first part of that sentence when he receives a sweepstakes letter in the mail, but doesn't understand (or doesn't want to understand) the second part. He's determined to personally claim "his million dollars" by taking the letter from his home in Montana to the offices of the marketing company who sent him the letter in "Nebraska" (R, 1:55).

Woody is a gruff old man who doesn't have much going on in his life and is willing to walk the 900 miles to Lincoln, Nebraska if he has to (and tries to do so). His long-suffering sons, David and Ross, played, respectively, by Will Forte and Bob Odenkirk, and Woody's pistol of a wife, Kate (Jane Squibb) are all unable to talk him out of it. David finally agrees to drive his dad to Lincoln. The trip takes them through Woody's hometown where we meet a number of his family members and old friends. Woody begins talking about the fortune he says he has won and word spreads quickly. Everyone enthusiastically congratulates Woody and he becomes the talk of the small town. He enjoys his new found local celebrity, until some of his family and friends start sticking their hands out, deciding that Woody owes them money from back in the day.

In the end, it doesn't matter whether Woody gets the money or not. This film is much more about the journey than the destination. In content and tone, "Nebraska" has elements of 1986's "Nothing in Common", 1998's "Waking Ned Devine" and 1999's "The Straight Story", while, at times, feeling like a Coen Brothers movie. "Nebraska" is charming, funny and heart-warming. The film appears in black and white, which serves to enhance its simple, rustic feel. Besides, the movie's characters were colorful enough for me. Most of the actors are good fits for their roles, but Forte is miscast. His acting skills served the broad comedy of Saturday Night Live well, but aren't well-suited to the subtle comedy (and the serious moments) of this film. I found his presence distracting. Odenkirk was very good, and I'll let the Oscar nominations for Dern and Squibb (plus director Alexander Payne, screenwriter Bob Nelson and the film, as a whole) speak for themselves. "Nebraska" will leave YOU feeling like a million bucks. "A-".