Nebraskaby Patti MartinsonReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Studio
Credits Grade: 8 Bruce Dern plays Woody Grant, an elderly man with something of a case of dementia who becomes fixated on traveling to Lincoln, Nebraska to collect a $1 million dollar prize he's convinced he has won. His wife and two sons know this to be a scam, but are unable to persuade Woody otherwise. The youngest, David, agrees to take his father to Lincoln, and they wind up staying over at Woody's hometown of Hawthorne, where David learns more about Woody and his family.This is a nice, low key, little film. It is a typical road trip movie, where the journey is more important than the destination. In the beginning, Woody is stubborn and taciturn, a typically difficult old coot. However, David and the audience starting discovering a bit more about why Woody is the way he is, medical issues aside. The audience and David do come to some sympathy and understanding of Woody, without it developing into pity. Bruce Dern does an excellent job of showing Woody's seemingly fragile mental state, but also conveying the deep need to recapture pride and self-worth in himself. Will Forte does almost as good as the annoyed son, but gradually begins to see more in his father than before and helps his father regain himself a little. June Squibb is hilariously potty-mouthed as Woody's wife, Kate, especially when Kate defends Woody against his money-grubbing relatives. Bob is okay as the other son, although he doesn't make as much an impression as Will. Going with the a black and white movie was a good choice, as it highlights the shabby look of typical mid-western towns that have seen better days, but avoids the trap of being too depressing. Much like the characters in this film, they are down, but certainly no out. A low key, character-driven movie, that avoids being too uplifting or too depressing and finding a nice balance in between, both in setting and in character. Written: February 28, 2015
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