The simple premise of Nebraska - 77-year-old Billings, Montana resident Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) receives a publishers sweepstakes "winning" notice in the mail, and convinced he's won $1 million will not stop until he gets to Lincoln, Nebraska to claim it - expands into a beautiful buddy/father-son/road trip film when Woody's younger son David (Will Forte) decides to drive the old man to Nebraska, to at least spend some time with his aging dad. On the way they stop in to visit relatives in Hawthorne, Nebraska, their old hometown, prompting a mini-family reunion that gets even mom (June Squibb) and David's brother Ross (Bob Odenkirk) to come down from Billings ... but also has the relatives trying to dig their claws in when they learn about Woody's supposed good fortune. Bruce Dern is at his best here, investing the stubborn, unsmiling, alcoholic Woody with real heart and soul, while paired to perfection with the hilarious June Squibb as Woody's outspoken wife Kate. Funny, tender, heartwarming - and character-driven storytelling at its best. (rated R) ****1/2
NEBRASKA trailer
I did write a comment yesterday but it disappeared - grrr. This sort of film wouldn't normally interest me but who can resist such an enthusiastic review? So definitely one to check out if I get chance...
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