"Nebraska": a road trip movie to savor

Movies about road trips are almost always garbage. Although there are certainly some exceptions, most of these films immediately fall into the abyss of mediocrity, or in other words, the deepest depths of Netflix. It’s surprising then that critically acclaimed filmmaker Alexander Payne’s new movie "Nebraska" is able to defy every tired cliché of the genre and provide one of the funniest and most captivating experiences of the year.The plot revolves around the senile alcoholic Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) and his stereo salesman son David (Will Forte of "Saturday Night Live") as they drive to Lincoln, Nebraska to collect a million dollar “prize.” David knows this sweepstake “prize” is nothing more than junk marketing. Nonetheless, David indulges in his father’s delusion in an effort to placate him and ultimately shut him up .The film, shot in black and white, displays a desolate, lonely and hilariously cynical version of the Midwest. A combination of bleak music and punctilious dialogue heighten comedic and dramatic tension to, at times, a fever pitch. This build, nearly always results in a worthy punchline. Not only is the movie funny, but also a biting criticism of the ambitions and unsophisticated folk of Payne’s home state. The centerpiece of the story however is not Woody and David’s on the road antics, but their en route stay in Woody’s hometown of Hawthorne, Nebraska. Word spreads among the locals of Woody’s “prize” and the town-folk are soon filled with greed and jealousy. What makes "Nebraska" so convincing is the grounded plot and characters. It forgoes the easy comic gags and explosive bombast in favor of meticulously planned laughs, felt in both the gut and the heart.The film also features a great supporting cast including the exceptional Bob Odenkirk, famous for his portrayal of Saul Goodman from "Breaking Bad". Odenkirk however, runs into a familiar problem with actors and actresses famous for one particular role; their more famous character transcends their current part. Although it took a little of adjustment at first, midway through the movie, this trivial problem disappeared.It’s a bit ironic that I end my review of a film that prides itself as an antithesis to cheesy movies, by generically hailing it as “one of the best films of the year”. But the fact is, this couldn’t be truer. You should really see "Nebraska" soon.