Nebraska-2013

Director Alexander Payne

Starring Bruce Dern

Scott’s Review #31

Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B+

Deservedly earning a handful of Oscar nominations, Nebraska (2013) tells the story of a senior citizen who mistakenly believes he has won a million dollars.

He is determined to travel from Montana to Nebraska to collect the coveted prize.

On the surface, this film sounds like a downer, and the black-and-white cinematography does wonders to set an atmosphere of coldness and bleakness in the wintry Midwest.

There are moments of humor, and little-known June Squibb is a delight as the saucy wife of lead actor Bruce Dern, also wonderful as boozy, curmudgeonly Woody Grant.

A few unnecessary Midwestern stereotypes, commonplace in director Alexander Payne’s films, make this a heartbreaking, comical experience worth watching.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Director-Alexander Payne, Best Actor-Bruce Dern, Best Supporting Actress-June Squibb, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 1 win-Best Feature, Best Director-Alexander Payne, Best Male Lead-Bruce Dern, Best Supporting Male-Will Forte, Best Supporting Female-June Squibb, Best First Screenplay (won)