Starring Bruce Dern, Will Forte
Directed by Alexander Payne
Many of us have fond memories of family road trips that saw us embark into the unknown with those we held dearest. Now on the north side of 40, David Grant (Will Forte) isnt amongst that number.
Maybe thats why he agrees to chauffeur Woody (Bruce Dern), his cantankerous alcoholic father, from Billings, Montana to Lincoln, Nebraska.
While the delusional Woody is convinced that theres a million-dollar sweepstakes prize to be claimed at their destination, David holds out faint hope that there might finally be a father-son bond forged en route.
Employing striking black-and-white cinematography to bleed this road movie of any romanticism, director Alexander Payne (The Descendants) also dispenses with the voice-over narration hes previously used to tremendous effect. Consequently, the insights were offered into these taciturn mens tumultuous inner worlds are gleaned courtesy of Dern and Fortes note-perfect performances.
The years havent dulled Derns prickliness in the slightest, allowing him to deliver screenwriter Bob Nelsons most cutting dialogue as casually as he exhales. (His rationale for having kids? I liked to screw... Your mothers a Catholic... You figure it out.)
Furthermore, he compellingly conveys the quiet desperation of a man whos seen his every window of opportunity be shuttered and is now left to scrounge for a veritable golden ticket.
While the depictions of the small town folk that the Grants encounter are certainly open to misinterpretation, they illustrate Paynes talent for uncovering absurdity in unassuming sources. Neither his films or their players cry out to be loved, making the deep affection they ultimately elicit from a viewer feel all the more genuine.
