Nomadland

“Nomadland”

Nomadland now playing in select theaters and streaming on Hulu is the third feature film of writer director Chloe Zhao. It stars 2 time Oscar Winner Frances McDormand(Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Fargo) and Oscar Nominee David Strathairn(good night, and good luck)and a large number of the cast made up of real life nomads living the van life as they travel America.

First of all this is not a warm and fuzzy feel good movie. If you have issues with watching movies that give you as the kids say these days “the feels” back away now!!! McDormands character Fern is forced to sell most of her belongings keeping a small amount of things she can’t force herself to get rid of in a local storage locker. She hits the road in her van/home traveling from town to town in search of work and freedom after the closing of the local Gypsum mine which destroyed her entire town. What you come to realize is if you didn't already know is that there is a subset group of American nomads traveling the country either out of want or necessity. Many of them seem to love their detached lives living off the grid and free of societies norms. You come to realize that these people regardless of the miles and time that separates them seem to be a very tight nit community. They truly lookout for and respect each other qualities that seem to be sorely lacking these days. They offer help when they can and are happy to teach new comers to the lifestyle how to do the things they don't as yet know how to do.

During Ferns journey you come to meet Dave played by the brilliant character actor David Strathairn. Dave is very taken with Fern despite her best efforts it seems to deter him. The heart wants what the heart wants I guess regardless of the harm it may cause. In following Ferns travels even though it seems that she has chosen this life she still seems very lonely. At times the emotional pain she seems to be going through over the lose of her home, her husband and hard but chosen way of life is very overwhelming and expertly portrayed by McDormand. This movie is wonderful, yes its not going to give you a warm feeling it may even upset you but nevertheless it is a wonderful piece of American art that seems to be shining a light on a group of largely forgotten Americans. The beautiful scenery of the modern American west is masterfully captured in this film by Cinematographer Joshua James Richards and makes you understand the peace and beauty of a lonely solitary drive through its winding hills and deserts.

Is this movie everyone’s cup of tea certainly not but I loved it even though you may not. Final take I give this movie 4 out of 5 Yellow Suckers. Great emotional performances and beautifully shot.

*This movie review was originally published in The Current River Observer as the River Reels article written by Jeffrey Riggs