Nebraska

Nebraska  is the latest dramatic comedy from established director Alexander Payne . In gentle monochrome, Payne tells the story of a father and son who embark on a journey across the Midwest to Payne’s eponymous hometown in search of a ‘million dollar prize’. 

Nebraska adds to a genre that Payne is fast making his own. This is the third film he has made about being an outsider on a journey, after About Schmidt and the extraordinary Sideways. With a trademark witty-melancholy brand of humor he transforms the traditional American road movie- Payne’s characters and roads tend to go nowhere.

 The film stars Bruce Dern, who was awarded the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival this year for his portrayal of Woody, the movie’s elderly protagonist. Dern’s lauded performance is good enough reason to see this but his co-star David Grant - best known for his performances on the American comedy show Saturday Night Live - also demonstrates an impressive talent for acting the straight man as he takes on the role of Woody’s long suffering son. Their relationship is played out against a variety of desolate American vistas, which need to be seen on the big screen to be truly appreciated. 

Be sure to listen out for the musical score, composed by rising star Mark Orton, a founding member of the painfully cool Californian group Tin Hat Trio . An eclectic mix of chamber music and American bluegrass, it is played mostly on the fiddle and guitar, and successfully transports the audience to Payne’s birthplace. 

In contrast to the big budget Christmas movies out at the moment,  Nebraska’s gentle tale of life, death and family will tug at your heart strings in the right way- a must see this season. 

Nebraska is officially released in the UK on Friday 6th of December, but advanced showings can be found from Sunday 1st across the capital.