Nebraska (2013)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1821549/

trailer



Honestly, this might be the best acting I saw all through 2013... Bruce Dern and June Squibb are just absolutely killing it! It’s wild when you realize they’re both in their 80s, right? Truly incredible...

As for the acting in this flick, you really just gotta see it for yourself to believe it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHw_WbVtZio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91W3joDrnRs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IG0VBc1lG4

Pretty charming flick. I’m actually glad they went with black and white—photography nerds are definitely going to appreciate that aesthetic. It’s got a decent amount of humor too, though maybe more for an adult audience than kids. You’ve got some fantastic older actors leading the way. It feels unpretentious, witty, and fun, but occasionally it hits you with something touching... I guess you can read all that emotion just from a single look, which probably wouldn't have landed as hard in color.8/10

Good movie. The plot is light and slow, but there's so much soul and grit to it. The characters are brilliantly drawn—people just living their quiet lives in some small town in middle America. June Squibb is fantastic as the wife, and Bruce Dern? It would be great to see him pick up an Oscar for Best Actor; it feels like the perfect way to cap off such a massive career. He was incredibly convincing here.

8/10

Finally, something actually different from the usual Hollywood sludge. It’s a killer look at the mundane reality of average retirees who’ve spent most of their lives together—and are still at it. Bruce Dern plays this crusty old guy who gets totally lost chasing some "free gift" in a magazine subscription; his performance is so phenomenal I think he could actually pull off an Oscar win, which would be the perfect capstone to his massive career. He’s my top pick for the Academy. Just saw his IMDB page and honestly, hats off to the man—he knocked out six roles in six different movies last year alone, three of them leads, including Nebraska. Respect. I was also cracking up at the scenes with June Squibb; she’s also nominated, and the way she portrays that caring, slightly high-maintenance, yet incredibly cool and witty grandma is just unreal. That old couple—him looking for any spark left in life and her constantly hovering—reminded me so much of my own grandparents. It’s that universal connection. Truly fantastic. Through the story, we see how Woody was always a decent guy who mostly just got taken advantage of, but the film also shows the other side: the monotony of small-town life, human greed, and basic human corruption. Even those forced, awkward family gatherings are depicted better than anywhere else. With two sons—one a bit too integrated into this nasty society and the other a genuinely good soul—Woody, a former alcoholic, and his wife go through this unforgettable, probably final, family journey in such a beautiful way. For me, this is the film of the year. It hits the core of what life is: a tedious mix of lies, scams, and crooked people, balanced against the most important thing—family, connection, and the comedy of everyday life. The scene where they applaud Woody in the restaurant will stick with me forever—it felt like an acknowledgment of his whole life, even if the crowd had a hundred other reasons to clap. Alexander Payne is absolutely crushing it again; in my book, he's officially the number one director right now. That’s it. This is THAT humorous reality of life captured on screen. I love watching his stuff.

I don't think I've ever felt a role carry as much warmth as Woody's. A phenomenal experience watching this. A witty and touching masterpiece of the American film industry.

Way ahead of all the other nominees at this year's Oscars. Way ahead.

10/10

Edit: Gotta mention the art poster too; ordered a print of it from across the ocean a few days ago.

This movie was absolute perfection for my particular tastes. It features such an engaging, lighthearted plot balanced perfectly with some truly sharp black comedy. As for the acting? Simply flawless.

If anyone happens to have recommendations for something similar, please do let me know. Personally, I can't help but think of "Harsh Times" starring Christian Bale.

Caught this last night and honestly, I’m feeling pretty great about it. It’s just a simple, breezy watch—lighthearted, a bit funny, great acting, and the cinematography is top-notch. Most importantly, it’s just a really charming flick. 8/10.

Just finished watching and I have to say, it was really good. The acting is top-tier—simple, slow-moving plot with just enough humor woven in. I could honestly see it picking up an Oscar.
Definitely recommend.
9/10

Every so often, a film arrives that speaks the quiet language of indie cinema—telling the stories of ordinary, small-scale people—but does so with a certain grandiosity. It is a work that feels complete, stylistically polished, and coherent, yet remains elliptical. It poses profound questions without feeling the need to provide easy answers. It operates across multiple genre and thematic fronts without becoming a cluttered mess. Much of the narrative unfolds on the road, yet its core preoccupation is stasis. That is Nebraska, and it earns its reputation as a modern classic.
Just when one expects a heavy social drama—given the elderly protagonist and the stark black-and-white cinematography—we discover his name is Woody Grant. This is a deliberate play on words referencing the painter Grant Wood, the creator of the legendary American Gothic. While the social commentary is present, we also anticipate a sense of detachment: a touch of hipster irony and humor aimed at Midwestern stereotypes regarding simple, hardworking rural folk who supposedly remain uncorrupted by urban decadence or suburban conformity.
If you are looking for a feel-good buddy movie, you are looking in the wrong place. Woody, aged and senile, is not going to undergo some grand epiphany during this journey. He is perfectly aware that he hasn't exactly conquered life, though he either refuses to admit it or simply doesn't care. He is a man of few words, and perhaps even fewer thoughts (one of the hilariously blunt dialogues between him and David reveals that Woody never gave much thought to the nature of marriage to Kate); above all, he just wants to drink a few beers in peace and quiet. On the other hand, it is immediately clear that David is a decent man, harboring a deep (and entirely unrequited) respect and affection for his father. From the outset, David realizes this isn't about winning a million dollars in the lottery; it is about Woody’s need to live out what might be his final fantasy: buying a new truck and a paint compressor just for the sake of traveling.
There is something indescribable about the depiction of provincial life through black-and-white film. Nebraska rightfully interrogates the American Dream as a concept, questioning whether it ever truly existed or if it was merely manufactured as a colorful lie for unfortunate people chasing happiness. It also questions those famous values associated with simple living and simple people—not just where they have gone or if they are still possible today, but whether they ever truly existed, or if they served merely as a mask for greed. Ultimately, the film's conclusion can be interpreted in two ways: as a tribute to the indestructibility of materialism and the performance of status symbols for relatives, or as a reflection of the universal human need to deceive ourselves into believing we are more successful and intelligent than we actually are.
The only issue, if indeed there is one, is that Nebraska tackles unsolvable themes, and it attempts to juggle many of them simultaneously. Within a single film, we encounter aging, dementia, a sociological study of deep rural life, the psychology of provincialism, naivety, materialism, greed, the American Dream, and genuine, old-fashioned values. In this balancing act, Nebraska is as excellent a film as one of its kind can be. Not every aspect receives equal attention, nor is every theme given sufficient room to breathe. One could argue many things about Nebraska, but one could never claim it is anything less than an exceptionally ambitious film. It is, without question, one of the major cinematic events of the past year.

more at:
http://film-na-dan.blogspot.com/2014/02/nebraska.html

What a stunning film 😍. It’s warm, deeply moving—honestly, I loved it. Just a heartfelt human story that hits you right where it counts. The acting is superb, the script is tight, and the cinematography is gorgeous; there's plenty to appreciate here. Choosing black and white really elevated the whole experience.
I found myself laughing out loud at certain parts—like when the old lady lifts her skirt and starts asking the grave, "see what you could have had?" 🤣—while other moments were pure heartbreak that left me in tears.
The entire ending is just beautiful 🙂.

Bruce Dern is phenomenal. I’ve seen his work in Dallas Buyers Club and Wolf, but after watching Nebraska, I’d give Bruce the Oscar for Best Actor in a heartbeat 🙂.

Hannah Watson85 said:What an absolutely stunning movie 😍. It’s just so warm and touching... I honestly loved it so much! It’s one of those heartfelt human stories that really gets under your skin, plus the acting, the script, the cinematography—everything about it is just top-tier. And man, choosing black and white was such a genius move, it totally elevated the whole experience.
I found myself cracking up at certain parts (like when the old lady lifts her skirt and starts asking the grave, "see what you could have had?" 🤣), but then other moments just completely broke me... I actually had tears in my eyes.
That ending is just pure perfection 🙂.

Bruce Dern is incredible. I've seen him in Dallas Buyers Club and Wolf, but after watching Nebraska, I seriously think he deserves an Oscar for Best Actor 🙂.

🤣

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHw_WbVtZio

Man, I hate reading such amazing reviews right before a movie starts—it totally spoils the surprise! 😬 I'm diving into this one today, so I'll check back in once I have some thoughts.
Hopefully, it hits the spot for me too.

They really missed the mark with this black and white decision... it just doesn't suit him at all.

Why not? To me, it just leans into that sense of emptiness you get in an American Midwest setting. 🤷

Man, this movie absolutely floored me. There’s just something so beautifully simple and understated about it, yet it feels incredibly full—especially when it comes to the raw emotion. It hits deeper than you’d expect. Jamie Turner80 already did a deep dive and dissected every single detail, and honestly, I can’t even add anything else because they nailed it.

If I had to pick one thing, though, I feel like the whole black-and-white choice didn't really move the needle either way. It didn't elevate the message, but it didn't hurt it either. To be honest, it felt pretty irrelevant to the actual core of the story.

I think the movie would have left me with the exact same impact even if it had been shot in full color.🤷

Nicole Jones13 said:I don't know, I feel like the black and white thing didn't really help or hurt what the movie was trying to say... It felt pretty irrelevant to the whole story...

Honestly, I feel like I would’ve gotten the exact same vibe even if the movie had been in color...🤷

Payne went with black and white because he was chasing that "iconic, archetypal look." Phedon Papamichael mentioned that they really wanted to lean into the poetic vibe of B&W, especially since those massive landscapes are such a huge part of the whole story... The choice of Black and White was made against distributor Paramount Vantage's wishes...

Alexander Payne stands out from the rest of the Hollywood crowd because he actually sticks to his guns. He doesn't chase that quick fame by making cheap compromises just to get ahead... What really sets him apart, though, is how he writes characters that feel like actual people. They might even be a little too real for Hollywood...
His whole career hasn't really swung too wildly, kinda like The Descendants...😁This might actually be his best work yet... honestly, it even tops Sideways, which has been one of my absolute favorites from the last decade...

It’s been a minute since an American movie hit me this hard... Nebraska really got to me. It totally felt like a throwback to that New Hollywood era, maybe even more because of Bruce Dern. He’s such a legend from that golden age, and seeing him land a role this big after all this time... just special...
It looks like a simple story about a father and son dealing with some crazy circumstances—like winning the lottery—but it really hits you with those deep, existential questions... Was his life actually worth anything? Is he just defined by the money he leaves behind, or is there something much more complex to being human than just what we own...

Payne really nailed it with Woody Grant... you can't even tell who he actually is until the very end. From the jump, we just see the bad stuff—the drinking, how he let his family down, and honestly, just the rough side of getting old. It leaves you wondering if there’s anything good left in him at all...
His younger son David (who's surprisingly good, played by Will Forte) is really the only one giving him a shot by hitting the road with him. He knows deep down it’s probably a lost cause, but he finally gets a real chance to connect with his old man after all these years...
Woody-esque's wife Kate (Jun Squibb) almost gets more annoying than Woody himself with all that constant nagging and putting him down... but then you realize it's just a front for how she actually feels about him.
She really pulls back the curtain on his true self, showing a side even his sons never saw... That moment where he stands up for his wife against those greedy relatives and "friends"... honestly, it’s one of the most moving scenes in the whole movie. Such a cathartic moment...
After that, the whole thing just hits different...

This movie is definitely something else. It might feel a bit slow at times, but the cast led by Bruce Dern makes the whole thing feel like a total masterpiece. Between Bruce Dern, this incredible story, the stunning visuals, and Alexander Payne's dark sense of humor, Nebraska is my top pick for an Oscar. *12 Years a Slave* and *Her* are great too, but I'm really rooting for Payne and Bruce Dern...

offtopic: totally fine for Hunt😍

I can’t help but wonder if anyone else got that same nagging feeling I did right from the opening credits—that Alexander Payne knew exactly what he was aiming for. It didn't feel accidental; to me, it felt like he was drawing heavy inspiration from David Lynch's masterpiece, The Straight Story (1999). Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he knows that film inside and out.

Now, don't get me wrong, this isn't to say the movie isn't expertly crafted across the board. The cinematography is stunning, and the acting is top-tier.

But when you sit through it, watching the way it unfolds and the specific approach taken... I just can't shake the impression that we're looking at a carbon copy of that Lynch film.

I just finished watching The Straight Story, and honestly, besides the fact that it’s a road movie starring an older guy, I don't see much else connecting it to Nebraska.
We're talking about two totally different directorial styles here. No offense, but I think Nebraska is a way deeper story...

I can't really think of any other links between those two movies... except maybe the fact that Bruce Dern's daughter is a favorite actress of David Lynch's😍...

Michael Hughes said:It’s seemingly just a simple story about a father and son dealing with an incredibly unusual situation—that supposed lottery win—but it manages to raise so many deep questions for any living soul. What was his life actually like? Is he truly defined just by the material wealth he leaves behind for his kids, or maybe the measure of his existence is something much more complex and subtle than that?

Well said. 👍
The movie feels a bit slow, I guess, but it carries such a powerful message... it really makes you tear up.
It’s a tribute to rural America and the lives of ordinary people. It kind of forces you to look at the people you see every day but might not actually know deep down. And there's the importance of one's surroundings, and the people who are part of you and shape your whole biography.
Just a beautiful, modest film. Such a lovely message against materialism, and a call to return to what really matters. 🙂

I was so happy when the son finally bought that air machine for his dad.
Those scenes where Woody drives through the countryside and everyone calls out to him... 😍 😁

I wouldn't frame it quite that way.
Nebraska serves as a profound interrogation of those so-called traditional values, offering a remarkably clear expression of doubt regarding whether they ever truly existed in the first place.

Of course he’s questioning them, but I feel like the actual message being sent is the exact opposite.
I mean, what did you even take away from the whole movie? That you need to go out and buy the latest Kia Rio?
🤷