So much average

hyped garbage

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

Rather like the main character, it seems the people behind 'Nebraska' were in a world of their own when they made this film. It tears up the film rule book and completely rewrites it, with the end result being a real oddball of a film. It's extremely slow, with a simple plot and a real mishmash of characters, but everything comes together a treat and 'Nebraska' is a hugely enjoyable film.The humour in this film is as dry as you are ever likely to find. Bruce Durn is in his element playing Woody and is hilarious from start to finish. His character feels so genuine and realistic that it's almost as if you know him personally. It's a road trip journey like no other and a story of friendship and growing old. Those who like their films on the quirky side should definitely give 'Nebraska' a watch. It's not for everyone, but I loved it.

Alexander Payne's style is one of subtlety, and non-said. His films aren't always masterpieces of the highest order, but even when they tell a fairly ordinary story, as they so often do really, they manage to nonetheless be original, pleasant to watch despite their length and reach for a cinematic quality rarely found in other films. And always, an emphasis on relationship, in a poignantly realistic style.This one here is no different. It's just a typical Payne film really. It's got that same critical humor, puts particular types of individuals in a caricatured light however without ever being exaggerated; it is a long road to a resolve and ending that makes perfect sense, without ever being gratuitous and obvious like so many Hollywood/American films do.Not the film of the decade, but good stuff. 7.5/10

Although this movie seems to have been mostly forgotten about and only remembered for being one of "those Oscar movies", I think that it deserves to be talked about for years. This is one of the funniest and smartest films of the 21st century so far, and is filled top to bottom with the highest technical, performance, and writing achievements possible. It is a masterpiece of comedy and drama, of character and story. The screenplay is brilliant and funny as hell, filled with a sharp wit rarely seen in most comedies these days. The film is also quite emotionally intense at times, due to the simple premise leading to a lot of complicated conflicts-and the ending, which I will not spoil, is surprisingly heartwarming and satisfying.Bruce Dern is simply fantastic in this movie, playing a confused old klutz that receives a letter claiming that he has won a million dollars. He plays his complex character with much emotion and good humor. Even better is June Squibb as his ferocious and funny wife, who packs into her role all of the needed elements of anger and hilarity and more. Will Forte also does a great job, playing the most sane character in the film, as the old man's son, who is sucked into this mess, and whose brother, played by Bob Odenkirk, is comically mean spirited.Perhaps my description of these characters sounds mocking, but I must admit that I felt deep sympathy for each of them. This film does not just take the easy way out and laugh at its characters for 110 minutes, it also gives them time to show their better sides. Dern may seem like a ridiculous, silly old man with a drinking problem, but he is actually likable and I rooted for him strongly. His wife mainly spends her time yelling at him, but there is one brief moment of truth that exposes her love for him. While neither of them admit that they love each other, the love is still obviously there. Yet another masterfully complex and beautiful element to this masterfully complex and beautiful film!

You have won $1,000,000… if you have and return the winning numbers. Bruce Dern's character, Woody Grant, focuses on the first part of that sentence when he receives a sweepstakes letter in the mail, but doesn't understand (or doesn't want to understand) the second part. He's determined to personally claim "his million dollars" by taking the letter from his home in Montana to the offices of the marketing company who sent him the letter in "Nebraska" (R, 1:55).Woody is a gruff old man who doesn't have much going on in his life and is willing to walk the 900 miles to Lincoln, Nebraska if he has to (and tries to do so). His long-suffering sons, David and Ross, played, respectively, by Will Forte and Bob Odenkirk, and Woody's pistol of a wife, Kate (Jane Squibb) are all unable to talk him out of it. David finally agrees to drive his dad to Lincoln. The trip takes them through Woody's hometown where we meet a number of his family members and old friends. Woody begins talking about the fortune he says he has won and word spreads quickly. Everyone enthusiastically congratulates Woody and he becomes the talk of the small town. He enjoys his new found local celebrity, until some of his family and friends start sticking their hands out, deciding that Woody owes them money from back in the day.In the end, it doesn't matter whether Woody gets the money or not. This film is much more about the journey than the destination. In content and tone, "Nebraska" has elements of 1986's "Nothing in Common", 1998's "Waking Ned Devine" and 1999's "The Straight Story", while, at times, feeling like a Coen Brothers movie. "Nebraska" is charming, funny and heart-warming. The film appears in black and white, which serves to enhance its simple, rustic feel. Besides, the movie's characters were colorful enough for me. Most of the actors are good fits for their roles, but Forte is miscast. His acting skills served the broad comedy of Saturday Night Live well, but aren't well-suited to the subtle comedy (and the serious moments) of this film. I found his presence distracting. Odenkirk was very good, and I'll let the Oscar nominations for Dern and Squibb (plus director Alexander Payne, screenwriter Bob Nelson and the film, as a whole) speak for themselves. "Nebraska" will leave YOU feeling like a million bucks. "A-"