‘Nomadland’ Review: Top Awards Contender Lives Up to the Hype
“Nomadland” has to be one of my most anticipated releases of the year considering all the buzz it has received. While it may not be my film of the year, it is definitely deserving of the hype. The direction, the performances, and the story all work together beautifully to deliver an illuminating look at the experience of life as an outsider.
The film focuses on Fern (Frances McDormand), a woman whose mining town becomes abandoned after an economic collapse and who then buys a van and embarks on a life of nomadism, wandering from town to town as a seasonal worker, and her discovery of the larger community of modern American nomads. The story isn’t driven by the standard screenwriting mechanics, rather it allows layers of experiences to build upon each other until they deliver a total picture of the nomadic life. “Nomadland” doesn’t pass judgement on its characters or their lives, neither romanticizing nor condemning the nomadic life, which runs so counter to modern sedentary living yet carries with it a remarkable feeling of essential American-ness. Living as a nomad brings with it a great deal of freedom and independence for those who follow it, but it is also incredibly difficult and rigorous. What the film does so well, and its central idea, is portray the reasons why these people become nomads and the many ways in which conventional society has failed them.
Writer/director Chloe Zhao‘s naturalistic style carries over well from her previous efforts, as she creates an immersive film that feels as real as cinema can be. Her use of non-actors, frequently playing characters similar to themselves, brings a lot of authenticity that drives home the reality of the situations presented in the story. Fans of “The Rider” will also see a few familiar faces. What also stands out is what she doesn’t do. The film never strays from the present moment, nor does it leave the perspective of its main character, portraying the past solely through dialogue and insinuation. There is no voiceover, no flashy camera moves, no unnatural lighting, no cross cutting, and little montage. The ending result is an experience that feels firmly planted in the reality of the world of the film and is all the more engrossing and moving for it.
“Nomadland” is able to pull off the rare feat of being both an intimate character study as well as a sweeping look at life in modern America showing the many ways in which people from all walks of life take it upon themselves to abandon society as we know it. Most of the characters are middle aged or older, and not only confront a brutal economy in the post 2008 world, but their own mortality and the many regrets that come with living a long time. While Fern’s story and psychology are the central focus, the stories of many others, often real people, are woven in as well, exposing the viewer to a full range of people who deal with the often harsh demands of living in unorthodox ways.
The film and Chloe Zhao’s Golden Globe wins are an auspicious sign for “Nomadland” and its place in the coming awards season. Far from the manipulative schlock that can wind up on awards dockets, “Nomadland” is an excellent film and one that is well worth seeking out.
