Nomadland

Nomadland
Starring Frances McDormand, David Strathairn, Linda May, Swankie
Directed by Chloe Zhao

There are certain films out there that are so hard to unpack it's almost impossible, as you can easily talk for hours, or write complete volumes of work, based on that one film. "Nomadland" is one such film - a true masterpiece, a work of beautiful, glorious art that has so many different themes intertwined within its runtime, and yet somehow manages to really not tell a very "engaging" story in the eyes of most moviegoers. You won't find attractive models here, there's no room for loud explosions or gunfights, and don't expect an actual conclusion, because this film is about the open road, the joys of the simple things, and understanding the concept that there's a difference between a house and a home - and that's just scratching the surface, like offering a Cliffs Notes on a film that has to be seen to be fully appreciated and valued.

Fern (Frances McDormand) lived a simple life with her husband, who worked at a US Gypsum plant in Empire, Nevada, until 2011 when the Great Recession hit, closing the plant and, within six months, closing the entire town as well. Not only did Fern lose her job and home, but her husband also passed away during that time, leaving her with nothing but a few possessions and her van. While working at Amazon during her seasonal time, she befriends Linda May (Linda May) who invites her to join a nomadic community of people who live in their RVs and vans, and who share their possessions and work just enough to maintain a comfortable life.

Fern travels to one of the nomadic communities with Linda May and strikes a friendship with fellow nomadic Swankie (Swankie), while drawing the attention of fellow nomad David (David Strathairn) and learning to survive on her own thanks to instruction by the nomadic leader Bob (Bob Wells). She works at different temp jobs while traveling, meeting other nomads, hearing their stories, and also learning how to find redemption herself for the past that she can't seem to let go of, understanding in the end that there's no such thing as a last goodbye - just "see you down the road."

"Nomadland" is a tour-de-force film in that it's wholly simplistic and, in a strange sense, uneventful - yet so much also takes place in the process. It's hard to explain wholly how this happens, but throughout the film you feel a sense of belonging, of acceptance, and something that's very difficult to feel especially in today's insane world - peace, even though the life of a nomad seems anything but peaceful, and yet it's almost entirely that as well.

Frances McDormand will easily earn her third Academy Award for her role here, which is easily one of her best roles in her vast, award-winning career. She plays Fern with such a deep emotional center that she exudes her aurora through every moment on screen, and can speak volumes with just a sly smile or sideways glance; a woman that's fiercely independent but also values being around people, as she easily makes friends with all types of people (from older women to younger men, everyone is enamored with her, as is the audience) while also isn't afraid to speak her mind. It's so subtle that you almost feel like you're watching a documentary through her eyes, and McDormand is one of those rare Hollywood stars who doesn't "look" Hollywood - she's not drop dead gorgeous (in a physical sense), young, and ditzy...she's a salt-of-the-Earth woman who one can easily see encompassing this type of lifestyle on her own (in fact she's said she's thought about doing this in real life). Fern is a woman who seemingly had everything, but once it was all stripped away, realized that she didn't really have what she really needed until it was all taken away from her - but McDormand doesn't play Fern as a victim, but rather a survivor who is seeing the world again for the first time.

What makes "Nomadland" so exceptional is actually so many different things, but one of which is a very risky challenge that director Chloe Zhao decided to take - besides McDormand and David Strathairn, all the other people on screen are actual nomads who portray a fictional side of their real lives. These people are the true pioneers of modern-day America, an older generation that's been long forgotten in a world that values youth over experience, and attractiveness over intelligence. As you witness their stories, you find yourself completely drawn to them, transfixed in a way that only the creme-de-la-creme of Hollywood actors manage to do - and these people aren't actors. You're wholly invested in the lives of these nomads, especially Linda May and Swankie, and you're drawn to them in such intimate ways that you feel like you've known them your entire lives. The film sheds light on the nomadic way of life - living in your RV, traveling the country, working just enough to fulfill your daily needs, and most importantly forming an unbreakable bond and community with fellow like-minded nomads.

The film also showcases the elegance of nature in a way that makes you feel like you want to be a part of this community. The beautiful mountain landscape, the gigantic redwood trees, the crashing of the ocean waves, the quiet stillness of the forest - everything nature has to offer is supplied in full display here, and you feel a sense of calm about life and the world in these moments that are naturally made instead of the insane hustle-and-bustle of the manmade world we often find ourselves in. Its true peace and tranquility in a world that's seemingly falling apart due to our own hubris.

To put the cherry on this exceptional film, there's the score composed by Ludovico Eunaudi, which - like McDormand's performance itself - is a thing of surreal beauty and simplicity. Just some piano notes tells a story, makes you feel wholly emotional, and propels this non-story story forward in the most hauntingly effective ways. Ultimately, there can be novels written about the impacts, themes, and emotions that "Nomadland" delivers, and its easily one of those rare films that needs to be seen to be completely appreciated - no words can do it justice.

A true masterwork of art on every level, "Nomadland" is one of those rare films that's wholly exceptional from beginning to end, a film that isn't your typical movie with the impeccable Frances McDormand commanding the ship.

The Score: A+