“Nomadland” Review
Frances McDormand stars in “Nomadland” as Fern, a woman who decides to journey across America in a van to experience freedom.
While 2020 may have been a dry year for films due to the pandemic, 2021 is shaping up to be an amazing year thanks to films like “Nomadland.” Like many films, “Nomadland” had a brief release in 2020 but, due to the pandemic, ended up being released this year instead. Combining a stunning actress like Frances McDormand and a realistic, verite atmosphere, “Nomadland” is one of the best films in this year’s award season.
Set in 2011, the film showcases the journey of Fern (McDormand) whose husband is dead and who lost her job in the recession. With few options, she decides to live in a van, move across the country and work various jobs, encountering fellow travelers, many of whom are played by actual “nomads.” As Fern keeps traveling, she begins to learn to let go of her previous life and find true beauty in simplicity.
Director, writer, producer and editor Chloé Zhao has created an incredibly captivating film which fully immerses the viewer in Fern’s life as a nomad. This includes how she cooks, sleeps and even uses the bathroom and, despite being a life of uncertainty, makes the viewer want to drop everything and live, as one Chris Farley put it, in a van down by the river. Her direction not only results in a great narrative, but also makes me excited for the upcoming MCU film, “Eternals,” which Zhao is helming.
Director Chloé Zhao depicts a growing American subculture in a realistic way, making for and immersive experience. Zhao also wrote, produced and edited the film.
The film, despite being a fictional story, feels very realistic with conversations between Fern and real nomads being shot like the talking heads you’d see in documentaries. With the exception of some piano music being used as a score in a few scenes, what music the film has is purely diegetic mainly appearing through the radio.
While Frances McDormand has delivered many a great performance over her long and respectable career, there have been three roles that have defined her career: Marge Gunderson in “Fargo,” Elaine Miller in “Almost Famous” and Mildred Hayes in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” Now, there are four. Fern’s journey is absolutely mesmerising and, while Fern’s change is more below the surface, she also acts as a guide to the audience, taking them into this world.
The actual nomads that appear in this film are really good actors, mainly because they truly believe what they say because they live this lifestyle. Nomad culture has been growing in the United States and “Nomadland” made for a great introduction to this lifestyle.
With “Nomadland” largely based around McDormand’s interactions with the nomads, one actor who also delivers an incredible performance is David Strathairn as fellow nomad David. Not only are David’s scenes with Fern compelling, but David goes on a journey of his own as he reforges a relationship with his son (Peter Spears).
One possible detractor of the film is its slow pacing, but this actually works towards the film’s benefit by placing the viewer in the viewpoint of Fern as she goes on this long journey. Much like David Lynch’s “The Straight Story,” by the time the film ends, everything Fern has gone through results in a satisfying conclusion.
Currently available both in theaters and on Hulu, “Nomadland” is worth a watch for great performances and an immersive look at a growing subculture in America.
