A Black & White Winner

I don't know if it's necessary to be a corn fed product of America's Great Plains to fully comprehend the truth and beauty that is Alexander Payne's movie Nebraska, but if you are,  prepare to be "you betcha" knocked out by what a gem it is.  This is a film that, no matter how long you've been gone, will pull you back to the black and white bare bones reality of life on the frozen and dusty plains of America where the crops, weather and what's for dinner are the conversational staples.

The picture has earned an Oscar nomination as have Bruce Dern who plays lead character, Woody, and the wonderful actress, June Squibb, who nearly steals the picture as his long suffering wife.  Also checking in with fine performances are Will Forte as David, Woody's son, and the always dependable Stacy Keach as his oily former business partner.

Like Sideways, another brilliant effort by Payne, Nebraska is essentially a road movie.  Woodrow "Woody" Grant is on a mission.  He is in his 80's and, after getting a letter advising him that he "may have already won" a million dollars in a magazine sales sweepstakes, has decided to by God hit the road from his home in Billings, Montana  and make the trek to Lincoln, Nebraska to collect his loot.  Everybody tries to tell him that the deal is a scam but he is determined to get his due.  "They can't say it if it's not true."

Since he's too feeble to drive to Lincoln he has decided to walk.  David, who is hurting from a recent break up with his girlfriend, takes time off from his job selling stereo gear to drive his dad to the headquarters of the prize company.  Along the way there is a less than satisfying stop at Mount Rushmore and an ill conceived visit to Woody's hometown of Hawthorne, Nebraska.  It is in Hawthorne where the movie becomes Academy Award material.  Payne captures the essence of the place in all its pencil sketch black and white monotony.  From the jar of pickled eggs on the bar at the Sodbuster Bar & Grill to all the overweight spawn of the prairie eager to re-connect with the newly "rich" Woody, it  all rings true   if you've been there.  The crops, the weather and what to eat, rinse and repeat.

There are no car chases or gunfights and, unless you count June Squibb's character lifting her dress in the cemetery to show an old boyfriend "what he missed", there is no sex.  It is undoubtedly "too slow" for anyone under the age of forty and a treasure for those of us who have grown more reflective with our years.

Nebraska is a victory lap for Dern and Squibb.  Both are real pros who have for too long turned in superb work with little recognition.  Do yourself a favor and see this movie.  It's hard to find and the crowds are small but it's worth it.  I think you'll find yourself joining me in rooting for these actors and this jewel of a film on Oscar night.