Not much movies I watched back in February, but I pick the great ones (aside this, another one is The Apartment). But one that very much stuck in my mind was Nebraska (2013), the latest movie by Alexander Payne. I can’t say that I loved all of his films, but he brought depth on each of his films, hitting each of his leading character a very low situation, to the point they break their nerve and got desperate. The good thing was he always slip a little comedy, with a light angle so it didn’t felt too heavy.
When I was planning my wedding, things got really hectic. So many things to do, to decide, to pick and time was very limited. I was thankful because I was in a good health most of the time doing it, but in between the crazy schedule I have, I have a glimpse of thought about my parents. I thought, ‘This is it. The last time I’m going to be their full time daughter, the last times I’m going to be their responsibility. After the wedding, I’ll be focusing on my own family.’ But, time sometimes can have no mercy. Since I have little time to plan my own wedding, I have no option than to use all the time I can to plan the day. While the little thought hanging in my head, I got to realize how old my parents are now. How they aren’t as good shape as before, and without you realizing it, you‘re now the adult.
The title Nebraska is to refer the state where the elderly father, Woody (Bruce Dern) wants to go. The often-drunk and stubborn man is convinced that he won $1 million sweepstakes prize based on the certificate he received by mail. The patient son, David (Will Forte) learn that the certificate is a scam to lure people to subscribe a magazine, he tried to convince his dad about it. But after many times picking his father up walking on his way to the city, David decide to drive his father to the place.
His wife, Kate (June Squibb) aren’t too pleased with his weird behavior. But Kate is not exactly pleased with everything he does. In fact, the woman dominated him and often said harsh words. David’s older brother, a local news anchor, Ross (Bob Odenkirk) already discussed to put their father to a retirement home.
“I never knew the son of a b*tch even wanted to be a millionaire! He should have thought about that years ago and worked for it!”Unlike many road movies, Nebraska told a flashback story of Woody back when he was younger, as he and his son stop by to Hawthorne, where Woody’s brother live. Woody once owned a local bar there and met a couple of folks who know him. They met Ed (Stacy Keach), whom the family blames for stealing Woody’s air compressor. Once he break down that he won a big pile of money, people starting to congratulate him and being too nice to him.
Many people in Hawthorne seem to exploit Woody’s new millionaire title, even his own relatives. Woody even have someone from the local newspaper to photograph him for local news. The news spread fast, and when people know you might be rich, they can be either very friendly or vicious. The problem is, if people know that it might be a scam. And, how can Woody keep himself straight knowing all of the trouble and long road lead to nothing? But more importantly is the real reason why he must have the money.
Nebraska have a slower pacing that most movies these days. But it’s only natural, since the setting was in suburbs of America. You can sense it through how the characters talk to each other, their simple minds and priorities. Nothing was too ambitious or twisty, other than how human react to the possibility of being rich (aside from Woody himself). Between the simple setting and dialogues, Payne still slipped comedy, often through Woody’s strange and sometimes annoying behavior. David as always, cleaned up his mess or join his actions.
Through the road trip, the connection between father and son emerged and developed, even though both rarely talk it out and Woody aren’t the sentimental cut, unlike David. The talks about the past, Woody’s past, and his life choices. Woody’s desperation to the money never really unveil until in the last few scenes, but before that, you might conclude that he’s doing it for himself. And, David’s the only person he can rely on or the only person he can trust in his own family. Somehow, all of the story concluded that at some point, parents are now the child.
Kate and Woody’s aged and tired relationship brought more questions like, how can they be together when they can’t stand each other? How can Woody put up with her harsh words? But later in another scene, you know how Kate might be perfect for Woody’s naive nature.
Strongest performance was from Bruce Dern himself, and June Squibb as a bitchy old woman who I assume once very pretty and therefore got herself an arrogant character. Both earned Oscar nominations. I recognized Will Forte and Bob Odenkirk from How I Met Your Mother, both played good and in more serious role.
The angle from an elderly man reminded me about Payne’s another excellent movie, About Schmidt (2002). And like that movie too, you’ll see from a very old man that his life choices determined his future and his choices now are limited.
The movie brought so many personal levels on me, and the fact that it chosen to colored in black and white, makes me love this movie even more. Nebraska is an excellent ‘simple’ drama, with a profound message, without declaring it too ambitiously Parents can act out of logic, but perhaps it’s time you’re now holding the adult key, set the old people a good sense and you’ve got no harm to contribute little joy to them.
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