Review of Nomadland (2021) by Kenr — 20 Jun 2021

Nomadland – Simply Near Perfect.

It’s commendable that a Chinese national, Zhao Ting can almost perfectly create such a poignant testament to the trailer nomads of the USA. The way she paces and edits her own work is a joy to the eye – there’s poetry in each sequence of her film. This is also attributable to the outstanding work of her director of photography; Joshua James Richard - his stylish use of a camera with strong, steady images, is nothing less than superb. Zhao also balances her use of music to its most evocative form, and features inspired use of the ambiance compositions by Italian Ludovico Einaudi, from his ‘7 Days Walking’ sessions. Her images, with his music blend in perfect harmony, creating many high points throughout this engaging picture. In this case, it’s good to see Frances McDormand away from her now predictable, overly dark Cohen Bros works and some other over-ripe roles we’ve seen. She’s perfect as the somewhat lost soul, living with her memories and finding it difficult to allow herself to become too close, even when some offer her the comfort of a bonding relationship. McDormand’s nude scene added nothing to the story (they rarely do) but was at least tastefully done, but that said...how many places will there be in this dry desert landscape, where you can find an Oasis that no one else seems to know about, and you can swim naked, without fear of leeches, snakes, and ‘human’ predators? Might this seemingly romanticized scene possibly have been shot in some hotel or a closed studio set, and likely added as an adult rating grab? Slipping co-star David Strathairn in amongst other roadies works quite nicely, and he’s a welcome addition to this work. I realize it takes all kinds to make a world, still, when this obviously lonely woman gives up the offer of a loving home life, to go back to all the desperately looming problems yet to be experienced on the road – might be a rather long bow to draw (?) Taken overall, Nomadland is one of the few recent movies to earn its nominations and awards (despite the absence of over-the-top action and effects) simply for its heart and soul. It sort of seems a pity Zhao has been wooed by the big-time, with a blockbuster Marvel Comic slated to be her next - It’s to be hoped we may see more of her doco-like humane work. Also, how foolish is China to censor one of its higher achieving citizens - because she’s been critical of some aspects of China’s policies – their loss, our gain.