Woody Grant from Montana, an ageing war veteran and a compulsive alcoholic, has not made it big in life. He thinks he’s won a million dollars at the magazine sweepstakes and is prepared to travel a thousand miles to Nebraska and claim the reward. His family fails to convince Woody that it’s a scam and his younger son, David decides to take Woody to Nebraska so that he can realize it the hard way. The ensuing road trip, unexpectedly takes him to his childhood town and he ends up meeting people from his past. The way this journey changes course due to the many unforeseen situations, forms the rest of the story.
Language:
English
Running Time:
115 min
Rating:
R
Release date:
15 November 2013
Directed by:
Alexander Payne
Produced by:
Albert Berger
Ron Yerxa
Written by:
Bob Nelson
Starring:
Bruce Dern
Will Forte
June Squibb
Stacy Keach
Bob Odenkirk
Music by:
Mark Orton
Shot by:
Phedon Papamichael
Editing by:
Kevin Tent
Distributed by:
Paramount Vantage

What’s Hot

  • Bruce Dern playing the lead role as a reclusive and stubborn old man is one good reason you don’t want to miss this movie. He never looks delusional, but ever so moody and lost in thought which results in a perfect enactment of the character.
  • The simple and elegant way the story of the family unfolds is so poetic and elevated by the level of performances by the support cast. June Squibb as Bruce’s wife, Will Forte and Bob Odenkirk as their sons together portray a family with strained relationships, yet never short of love for one another.
  • The unhurried pace of the movie, accentuates the deep emotions associated with many scenes where Bruce reminisces of his past and get lost in thought. Some brilliance with the camera by Phedon Papamichael and soul stirring music score by Mark Orton make the experience more realistic for the audience.
  • With a majority of the characters being senior citizens, the dialogues, though very minimal are just apt and evoke the sense of dry humour that one can associate with the elderly, especially the scenes where June speaks her mind and the one where she gets her sons into an embarrassing situation.

What’s Not

  • There is one too many characters introduced into the proceedings when Woody stays over at his brother’s home. The stretches of conversation in the family are peppered with amateurish acting and poor humour which threatens to take away the poignancy maintained throughout the story.
  • The movie ends on a slightly exaggerated attempt to provide consolation to a futile quest by means of small personal accomplishments for the protagonist. This seems to contradict the tone of melancholy and bleakness set from the start.

Badges

Verdict

Verdict Stamp

This elegant and simple tale is indeed a bittersweet journey to the centre of the heart of a family in the times we live in.