Hayes230

Nope, nope, nope - didn't take too long to start wondering if it was going to be a disappointment, but I decided to persevere to the end so, at the least, I could offer an authentic criticism. This was quite annoying from end to end. It makes me reconsider the intelligence of Rosamund Pike and Richard Grant for getting involved in it, but maybe the money was good. I would just say that people should watch "Angels and Insects" for better taboo drama. The lead - Barry K - is weird looking - like he is always in the process of swallowing really tart grapefruit. I think the story could have been saved if Jim Carey just made it a comedy romp.

What else can I say other than if this is released for sale, it should only be released on Betamax.

I had little knowledge of this film other than that it was by Alexander Payne. I appreciate what he's doing and expected that I would enjoy "Nebraska", and I did. I was not prepared for Black and White. When I realized that the film would be B&W, I had to reset my expectations -- sort of take a breath. I think it is my same response if a film is subtitled; there is compact that needs to be reached before undertaking the experience. One more thought about the Black and White is that it is not this incredibly rich depth of field or contrast. There is no intense contrast in the light or shade - this isn't "Elephant Man" or "Raging Bull" B&W. Everything is washed out a little... fatigued, much like the Wintertime setting, or the desolate flatness of much of the landscape. It's as though the settings are a flat canvas for the portraits. So the allusion to fatigue, Winter, the mundane absurdity of survival are all in force, but there's something more about it than just survival. It's about "having survived" and there isn't much left or much purpose to carry on... yet they do.

Payne is at his best with journey/road ventures, whether to wine country, or Winnebago trips to Denver or drives to the plains of Nebraska. There is a stark banality to the humor at times. The acid tongue of the mother (June Squibb) is particularly funny but painfully real. Many points of humor are set up very early and pay off very well.

Many extras (with lines) appear to be locals from either Billings of Hawthorn - real people. Bruce Dern is very believable, and in many ways I think he acts so well that he doesn't seem to be doing much. I suppose he'll be nominated for awards, and no doubt deserves recognition, but for me the best acting was the mother, June Squibb. I would hope that she's nominated for a Best Supporting Actress. My only mild misgiving with the film is the ending. Somewhere near the end there is a great line about the father's vulnerable nature (not just in his twilight, but always). The force of that line deserves something a little more cathartic than the ending offered. Maybe "About Schmidt" was on my mind.