Many of the nominees in this year’s Best Picture category are high octane thrill rides (see American Hustle or Wolf of Wall Street). Nebraska, directed by Alexander Payne and starring Bruce Dern, is surely a change of pace in that regard.

It has a plot that breaks no ground and takes none of the twists and turns that you might find in the other nominees, yet somehow still manages to keep you interested. In fact, you could argue that none of the other movies can begin to touch the emotional connection that you experience throughout Nebraska.

The story revolves around the relationship between Woody Grant (Dern) and his son David, played surprisingly well by SNL vet Will Forte. From the opening scenes you can tell that this is a strained relationship at best. This can most likely be blamed on the inherent absent mindedness, as well as an alcohol problem, which seem to define Woody as a character. This storyline is in no way a new one and could have easily turned cliché if not done in such a genuine manner.

Woody has been duped by a magazine company into believing that he has won a million dollars in what David calls, “one of the oldest gimmicks in the book.” Woody’s continued stubbornness makes David realize that this is about more than just the money so he agrees to see it through to the end and take his father to Lincoln, Nebraska to collect his winnings.

Most of the narrative takes place in the old hometown of Grant family, Hawthorn, as they stay with Woody’s brother. Here we learn, through stories told to David, about the man that is Woody Grant. We also learn a good deal of the townspeople themselves from the perspective of Woody’s wife Kate, who seems to be the gossip queen of the neighborhood.

The Grant family add a bit of comical relief to the picture, mostly because of their consistent lifelessness. Speaking only when asked a direct question and giving only the bare minimum in the way of an answer.

One of the most memorable aspects of the movie is in the score which plays as the two travel the Midwest. Although the movie is entirely in black and white, director Alexander Payne is still able to use the sprawling farmland to set a very specific mood throughout.

The main theme of the film is Woody’s realization that he is man living out the final portion of his life, and with the way he treats his body is may not be a long portion. One of the most poignant moments happens when the family visits the decrepit, hallowed out Grant farmhouse. As we travel throughout the house with the family you can see in Woody’s face that he realizes the house, like himself, may not have much time left and is only a shell of want it once was.

The real skill in Nebraska is its ability to have a strong heart while avoiding the pitfalls of corniness. “I just wanted to leave you something” are Woody’s most telling lines of the picture, in which he reveals the real incentive for the million dollars. The reason that these seemingly obvious, cliché words work so well is because it is the only real dialogue Woody has in the entire movie, aside from grunts and half answers.

Nebraska may not have all the bells and whistles of some of the Best Picture contenders but its directing, writing, acting and emotional core made it one of the best movies I have seem in a long time. I rate this film a 4.75/5.

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