Nebraska

For a movie that says so much about family, Nebraska is very simplistic. Not only is it minimal in terms of story, but also visually, not to mention the fact that it's in black and white.

Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) is a pensioner living in Billings, Montana. One day in the mail, he receives a letter telling him that he has won a million dollars and that he must go to Lincoln, Nebraska to retrieve it. Despite the obvious reluctance from his family to help him, his son David (Will Forte) decides to drive him down to Nebraska, where they stop in Woody's hometown, where he soon becomes a celebrity. This celebrity status attracts the attention of Woody's sinister old business partner, Ed Pegram (Stacy Keach).

This movie is an exceptional tale of a father and son and rather than they being on the younger end of the spectrum, they are both older and discovering about each other's life. Bob Nelson's heartwarming story, coupled with Alexander Payne's experienced direction when it comes to emotional family dramas, make a potent mix.

The cast is phenomenal. Veteran actor Bruce Dern is magnetic as the doddering Woody. His years refining his craft has let him go all in with this performance. Stacy Keach (American History X) is also a great veteran actor who excels at playing villains, although I'd hardly call him a villain in this lighthearted drama.

But for me, the real drawcard came from the two comedic actors turned serious. Both Will Forte (Saturday Night Live!, MacGruber) and Bob Odenkirk (Mr. Show, Breaking Bad) steal the show as Woody's sons who just want their dad to be safe.

Verdict: An excellent drama/comedy about dealing with growing old.