Nebraska

As it turns out, Alexander Payne didn't need to wait seven years to make his next movie. Because it's already here.

Nebraska is not only Payne's first movie to be not based on a novel since his first, Citizen Ruth, but it's his first movie where he had no part of the writing process. Instead, the story was conceived by Bob Nelson.

Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) has just won a million dollars. He thinks he's won a million dollars, anyway. But really, it's just a scam to get him to buy magazine subscriptions. His son, David (Will Forte), sees what it is. But regardless, he agrees to drive Woody from Billings, Montana to Lincoln, Nebraska, where the sweepstakes office is. Woody's wife, Kate (June Squibb), sees it as a waste of time. But she comes anyway.

On the way there, they arrive in Woody's hometown of Hawthorne. So many of Woody's friends and family are still there. All of whom hear "a million dollars" and nothing else. Each of them selfishly wants a slice of the pie. Woody's just too nice to tell them off. So it's up to David and Kate to do so.

As a black and white movie, Nebraska stands out amongst its fellow nominees for the cinematography Oscar. That's because Phedon Papamichael's photography already stands out. Among other things, it emphasizes Hawthorne's small town environment, the scheming acquaintances' evilness and even Woody's fading state of mind. It also stays still for many shots, which allow the viewer to take in the environment.

Dern leads the way as Woody. He may be gullible, but he's determined. This is evidenced in his first scene when he tries to walk to Lincoln on foot. If he'd learn to say no, he'd be able to do something major with his life. That's his problem. Squibb, meanwhile, has the best lines as Kate. She'll stand up for Woody as much as she'll decry his being a fool.

Nebraska is a dramedic tale about how people react to the promise of riches. It's downright hilarious in many scenes; it's quite moving in many more. It's ultimately a feel good movie as bright as the movie's cinematography is not.