Every year, film buffs try their best to watch all of the films predicted to be big contenders at the Oscars. We all know our friends and family will eventually come up to us and say ‘You like movies, what’s the film that’s going to do well this year?’ So, we like to try our best to be able to answer that question! With the awards season fast approaching, over the next month there will be a series of ‘I’ve Never Seen…’ reviews of films that were big Oscar contenders in previous years, the films you really wanted to watch, but never quite got around to. The first in this series is NEBRASKA, which was up for Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, Cinematography, Best Supporting Actress, Best Actor, and Best Picture of 2014.Â
NEBRASKAÂ follows the difficult relationship between David (Will Forte) and his elderly alcoholic father, Woody (Bruce Dern). Woody is determined to walk to Lincoln, Nebraska to collect what he believes is a one million dollar prize, after receiving a letter through the post. Despite David trying to convince his father that this is a mere scam, Woody is still set on getting to Nebraska. Eventually, David decides to drive him there on a road trip that makes them question their relationship and causes Woody to face his past woes.
The film has a simple enough plot that explores a lot of important and relevant themes. Most people who watch Nebraska will be able to find something in it which they can relate to. On the way to Lincoln, David and Woody stop to stay with Woody’s brother for a few days in his old hometown. Whilst they are there, David realises his dad has some secrets in his past and that he and his mother (June Squibb) have a bizarre relationship.
The excellent performances are just one of the factors that make NEBRASKAÂ such a success. June Squibb is fantastic as the bitter and often rude mother. Bruce Dern gives a great performance that many people will be able to laugh and compare to people they know. The characters in NEBRASKAÂ all seem like real people, people that we come across and recognise in our lives. That is why the film works so well.
It’s shot in black and white, which gives the film a unique and bleak look; there are fantastic wide shots of the flat landscape of the middle states. These really help in making the film not only look a bit bleak, but also look real. Â The film is shot in an incredibly realistic manner.
Overall, NEBRASKA didn’t win any of the Oscars it was nominated for, but it was widely considered to be one of the best films of 2014 and I can see why. This film manages to tap into your memories and your ability to relate to the characters. This is something rare in films today. Great performances and an incredibly funny script mean that this is a film you should not miss.
Verdict
