Some may not realize it, but in 2013 we are experiencing one of the most interesting Oscar seasons of the last decade.
Not only are all the possible contenders getting great reviews, but they’re all completely different from each other and memorable in their own way. Only one period piece can be found, and it features zero English accents. There are even two sci-fi features that managed to slip through.
In terms of performances, critics and insiders already are hyping Cate Blanchett for Best Actress, Jennifer Lawrence for Supporting Actress and Jared Leto for Supporting Actor.
The Best Actor crowd already is getting a little packed with Matthew McConaughey, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Robert Redford as front-runners.
But what’s surprising is that character actor Bruce Dern has been some critics’ choice for Best Actor of the year for his role in Alexander Payne’s new film “Nebraska.”
In Billings, Mont., an 80-year-old man named Woody Grant (Dern) with a drinking problem and short attention span thinks he won a million dollars in the mail when he finds a scam letter from a magazine publisher in Lincoln, Neb.
His wife, Kate (June Squibb), and son Ross (Bob Odenkirk) are getting so tired of his attempts to leave town by foot that they want nothing to do with him. But Woody’s younger son, David (Will Forte), decides to just go with the flow and drive him across the country, almost as a vacation.
When a head injury puts a hold on their journey, the father and son land in Woody’s hometown in central Nebraska. There, he spends a few days visiting and reminiscing with the people and place he was part of before, and David learns some new things about his dad.
Stacy Keach and Rance Howard co-star as two relatives Woody runs into back home.
“Nebraska” joins “About Schimdt” (2002), “Sideways” (2003) and “The Descendants” (2011) in Payne’s series of films that center around self-fulfillment for older men. It’s also titled for the same state in which the majority of Payne’s films are set. Only this time, we get a rather remarkable debut screenplay from Bob Nelson, which marks the first time Payne didn’t write his own script.
The use of black-and-white cinematography and even the old Hollywood Paramount logo in the credits give us the right feel and tone for this modest family tale and make it a small, but personal, film for both Nelson and Payne.
Since the film’s premiere at Cannes last May, Dern has been gaining deserved wide acclaim for his subtle, yet emotional, portrayal of a man who doesn’t care anymore. The same goes for his on-screen wife, Squibb, for her amusing performance of a woman who is frustrated and concerned.
But while the story is Woody’s, the film is carried through by Forte, who is the biggest breakthrough from the movie. Mainly famous for his stint on “Saturday Night Live” as a writer and performer for a decade, the comedian proves he has another talent as a strong supporting actor. Dern has the task of keeping the plot moving and eccentric, and Forte is the calm that makes sure nobody gets hurt.
“Nebraska” is a great film with some of the best acting this year and a reminder of how important a person – and a family – can be, despite their dysfunction.
mbianco@durangoherald.com
Nebraska
Paramount Vantage presents a film directed by Alexander Payne. Written by Bob Nelson. Starring Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb, Bob Odenkirk and Stacy Keach. Running time: 115 minutes. Rated R (for some language).
“Nebraska” is playing at Animas City Theatre.
