LIFF27 - Nebraska - Cinema Review

'Nebraska isn't just similar ground for Payne: it's recycled'

Nebraska presents arguably the zenith of Alexander Payne's recent work; at least in terms of subject matter, if not quality. Long fascinated with the mid-life crisis of the lesser-spotted middle-age male, Nebraska plays as a cross between About Schmidt, Sideways and The Descendants, as Woody (Bruce Dern) sets off on a trek across country in the reluctant company of son David (Will Forte).

Taken at face value, the fact that Payne is returning to similar ground might not seem like a good thing - though as a Payne fan, I'd be happy enough with this - but look at it closely and Nebraska isn't just similar: it's recycled.

Woody's trek to Lincoln shares the geriatric desire to live shown by Jack Nicholson in Schmidt, whilst his alcoholism means there's a handful of similar japes to Sideways' two delinquent wine 'connoisseurs'. In possession of what he considers to be a winning lottery ticket, it's also not long before extended family get a long hard look, whilst they themselves take a long hard look at Woody's winnings. It's not quite as picturesque as Hawaii, but a scene in a backyard of a family gathering is almost exactly the same scene as a similar confrontation in The Descendants.

So, whilst Payne has long been accused of making the same film time and time again, this is the first time he can be convicted of making all of his films again, sticking to far too-comfortable, seen-before, material.

Where Nebraska marks itself out as worth watching is in the performance of lead two Dern and his on-screen cantankerous wife June Squibb. I could take or leave Forte, who feels forced and too passive, but Dern and Squibb are joys. Both crackle with bubbling indignation at how their lives have turned out, Dern occasionally bursting into acts of pride (see: a scene in a truck towards the end), or rebellious one-upmanship (Squibb lifts her skirt to the grave of a man who fancied her). When Nebraska is at its best, these two characters are at theirs; giving us something to invest in as we make our way through silent family gatherings and meandering locals.

By no means is Nebraska a bad film; it just feels like a curiously flat one considering Payne's normal displays of joy. There are few laughs - a handful of titters maybe - and too often the script seems happy for Woody and David to wallow in failures and glum past events we haven't been party to. Fine, but nowhere near as good as when Payne has told the same story before.

Nebraska screens again at LIFF tonight at 20.30 in The Town Hall.

The 27th Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF) takes place from the 6th-21st November at cinemas around the city, including Hyde Park Picture House and Leeds Town Hall. Tickets and more information are available via the official LIFF website.

By Sam Turner. Sam is editor of Film Intel, and can usually be found behind a keyboard with a cup of tea. He likes entertaining films and dislikes the other kind. He's on Google+, Twitter and several places even he doesn't yet know about.