Nebraska (2013) dir. Alexander Payne (and more!)

So I finally got around to seeing Alexander Payne's new movie, and while it's a bit late to review it, I'd like to share my thoughts on it anyway, and talk about a little more, too. 

Some of you have seen this poster before. And if it wasn't because you've been to your local theater recently, it might be because I posted it a few reviews ago. This was the film I was denied entry to by my arch enemy, Cold Hearted Tivoli Employee Man. 


More On the Director
Nebraska is another one of his more dry works. It's hard to laugh at this film even though it wants you to laugh. It's thoroughly meditative, and also downright heartbreaking in some parts. It's akin to seeing an old man giving some little kids the finger. Funny at first, then you feel sad. 

Alexander Payne is one of the better directors working today. He hasn't made a bad film, really. They all just vary in how easy they are to enjoy and how profound they are. Now, I can't speak for his whole repertoire. I have yet to see his films Citizen Ruth (1996) and About Schmidt (2002). But going off his other films, the critically acclaimed and well known Sideways (2004) and Election (1999), as well as his more recent (and also well liked) The Descendants (2011), he's a really charming filmmaker. I get the feeling that he's a really quirky guy, but his films aren't really quirky at all. They're funny, but funny somewhere in between dry and absurd. His comedic sensibility is impeccable. Election alone shoots from deadpan to screwball seamlessly. 

The Movie

I don't want to give the impression that I thought the film was flawless. Despite my gushing over Payne and his filmography, I was actually a little disappointed with this one. It had many strong suits, of course. The story was extremely poignant, the characters written vibrantly (which is weird to say, considering how bleak and downplayed the film was). There were a lot of really funny moments, and the whole thing came together really well because Alexander Payne writes painfully real characters. I just wished he had picked some better actors to play them. 

Not talking about Bruce Dern, obviously.

In fact, a lot of the cast did a good job. June Squibb was enchanting. It's always fun to see a really old actress both go all out for a role and get the attention she deserves. 


Bob Odenkirk did a really good job as well.

I hate to say it, but Will Forte didn't really carry his weight. I really love his work on SNL, but he seemed a little lost when placed in a dramatic role. Whenever he'd be talking to Bruce Dern's character I'd expect him to break into some kind of schtick. He's got this weird comedy voice. Some of the scenes worked, but there were many lines that came off as painfully insincere.

Another issue I had with the film was a small part near the beginning where Will Forte's character has an encounter with his ex-girlfriend. In short, it seemed that this relationship was written in to make Will Forte's life seem more sad, but there wasn't enough time taken to develop the devastation his character felt over the split. That dynamic seemed a bit shallow (and the actress who played his girlfriend was not very believable).
So comparing this to his other work, is Nebraska as funny as Election? No. Is it as poignant as Sideways? It can be, but the inconsistent quality of the performances hinders that impact. 

EDIT: I cannot stress this enough. I liked the movie. Just not as much as his other movies. Except maybe The Descendants. I think I probably liked this one more.


Movies I Also Saw This Week
Bicycle Thieves (1948)*, Before Midnight (2013)

*this was my third or fourth watch. I always really love the film, and upon my most recent viewing I realized it is one of my very favorite films. Possibly in my top ten if I ever made a list. 

AND THEN...

And then I wanna talk about experimental films.

I, like many people, tended to stay away from them for a long time. But then realized how silly that is when I realized that they are neat little treats to watch for any film lover. They are concise, visually striking examples of what can be done with cinema. I encourage all of you to find your favorite. 
What's even more interesting is experimental film has many of it's own subgenres. One of the major ones, and one that you've probably seen the most of, is the collage film. 

Collage films are the juxtaposition of loosely connected images (typically still images) and sometimes sounds to create a rhythmic, visceral effect, and sometimes a political, religious, spiritual, or personal message. 
Some collage films actually are films with collages on them, such as Mothlight (1963) by Stan Brakhage. This piece is literally moth wings, flower petals, and blades of grass pressed directly on to film and printed. 

My favorite, though, is a less literal type of collage film. It is a series of several images set to a soundtrack created from discarded audio tape. It was created by Arthur Lipsett, and it's called Very Nice, Very Nice (1961)