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A destination. A purpose. We seek it. We want to reach it. We think that's all about the ending. We think that what we're doing now will make us reach our goal. Each one of use is a tramp of life, torned by the notion of achievement and wealth's thrall, looking for a meaning in the mess we found ourselves in.
This movie is about the people who, for misfortune or choice, pursue a life devoted to community, neatness and continuous discovery of life's treasures.
PLOT
"A woman in her sixties who, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad" or "An ode to the wanderer's life".
SCRIPT
It's a character driven movie but its thin plot isn't out of place. Fern, the protagonist, is deeply analysed by showing us every aspect of his life, past and present, through visual and verbal nods. There's an iper-realistic sense in this picture, something which you can feel through the other minor characters who interact with her. You're able to understand their motivations and to be with them when they're struck by reality. There's a profound humanity and empathy on display here, something so rare in movies today which makes Nomadland an emotional and tender story. The main protagonist doesn't have an arch of growth, which could make the movie pointless, but as an arch of self-discovery and acceptance. There's no resolution for her because a nomad doesn't seek it. She won't return to society because it was the one which rejected her during the Great Recession, she won't reintegrate in an lackadaisical civilization. The subtle social commentary about capitalism(there's a gentle jibe toward Amazon and how it acts toward its employers) emerges through the words and experiences of the people who dominate the movie's tableau. The frigid and aloof morality of the corporate state is condemned without a loud and direct satire but through the sincere and true suffering and joy of people who got rid of it. There's a lot to learn and think about here.
Script: 9/10
ACTING
Francis McDormand offers a fine performance, something which is starting to be a standard lately. She makes you empathize for her character, portraying her with truthfulness and candor. She enhances the performances of the other actors, pulling out of them every emotion in its purity. The other actors, most of them are elders, personate their characters with a remarkable naturalness, which makes the movie seem like a documentary at times.
Acting: 8/10
PHOTOGRAPHY
Every frame is work of art. It makes you appreciate sunrise and sunset, day and night, moments of loneliness and crowded gatherings, the desert's warmth and the snow's coldness. When it shows the worksplaces, it does it by extolling the stiffness of machines and the job's hollowness, brighten up a bit by human relations. Colour is not used with a symbolic mean and nothing interesting is done with it, to maintain the realism of the picture. Nonetheless it's a pleasure for the eyes.
Photography: 8/10
EDITING
The director prefers wide angles and a particolar style of close-ups. The characters faces are framed with medium close up shots which amplifies the emotions and expressions. Other shots are dynamic, where the camera slowly move toward the actor or over the set, to give a sort of movement to the story, to avoid making it slack and boring. You'll find this movie lovely and restful, thanks to the editing.
Editing: 8/10
SPECIAL EFFECTS
The lack of it grounds the movie in reality. It's a cure-all for all the cgi shindy we are used to in movies.
Special Effects: 6/10
SOUNDTRACK
It's tender and gentle, it exudes peace by putting you at ease. Maybe you'll recognise the composer for some arpeggios, maybe not, but you'll get it after a while if you've watched The Intouchables before. It's really beautiful and dreamy and fits perfectly the movie's tone. Even though it's perfect for the movie, it isn't original because it was used in another movie which has a similar style.
Soundtrack: 8/10
COSTUMES
They fits the characters and their ideology but there's nothing original about them. As I said before, this movie is rooted in reality so it doesn't need to be flamboyant and colourful.
Costumes: 5/10
CONCLUSION
Script: 9/10
Acting: 8/10
Photography: 8/10
Editing: 8/10
Special Effects: 6/10
Soundtrack: 8/10
Costumes: 5/10
AVERAGE: 7,42
That's a gorgeous movie wich touches deep feelings and shows a way of life which could bring to happiness and get you through society's severity. It could be a cathartic experience which could set you on a journey of self-improvement or just relax your mind with great visuals and a kind soundtrack. This movie deserves to be praised because it's a heartfelt masterpiece sprouted by the passion of all the people involved in it, from the director to the actors.
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Director: Chloé Zhao
Screenplay: Chloé Zhao
Cast: Frances McDormand, David Strathairn, Linda May, Swankie
Soundtrack: Ludovico Einaudi
Cinematography: Joshua James Richards
Running Time: 108 minutes
Budget: $5 million
