Frances McDormand is masterful once again in her portrayal of a woman embarking on a new chapter in her life.
“I’m not homeless, I’m just houseless, there is a difference, right?” Says Fern, as she explains her new life to someone from her past. Best Actress Oscar winner Frances McDormand treats us to another career defining performance (she is just putting us all to shame at this point isn’t she) as Fern, a 60-year-old woman who, after losing her job due to the financial crash as well as her husband to cancer, decides to sell her belongings and buy a van to travel the great American West whilst looking for work, making incredible friendships along the way. Based on the novel by Jessica Bruder, Chloé Zhao (Best Director winner at this years Oscars) has created an unbelievably nuanced film; it has feeling and soul and is very deserving of all the awards it took home – and it won a shed load of them as well.
Many words can be used to describe Nomadland, two that fit it like a glove for me are, subtlety and powerful. The pacing is perfectly slow, showing the mundanity of life without excitement, because that is what life is, right? The acting is subtly authentic and meaningful – aided by using real life “nomads” – who give you a taste of the hard and joyous moments that come with this way of life. The cinematography by Joshua James Richards is sublime; clean, and smooth, really capturing the setting and giving it so much character (not that these gorgeous places needed any more of that). One more thing to top it off? A score created by Ludovico Einaudi, generating – as he does best – incredible emotion into the scenes, elevating the atmosphere perfectly.
Nomadland begins with Fern as she is selling most of her belongings, with the intention of buying a van to live in and travel as a wandering nomad, whilst seasonally working at an Amazon fulfilment centre to aid herself financially. A co-worker named Linda (also living in her own van) asks Fern to join her at a desert rendezvous in Arizona that is headed by real life nomad Bob Wells, offering a support system and a friendly community of fellow vandwellers. Initially refusing to join – wanting to go at it alone – Fern has a change of heart and heads to the meet with low expectations, something that is quickly kyboshed as she is welcomed into the community with open arms. Fern begins to learn the tricks of the trade; basic survival tips that will prevent her from dying, as one dear friend reiterates.
As time slowly passes by and Fern scrambles around various jobs along the road, meeting a cluster of different people, mainly Dave (played by cinema stalwart David Strathairn) who develops a special connection with Fern as they work and experience life with one another – like two teenagers in a picturesque summer romance. Circumstances arise and the two must separate – Dave accepts his estranged sons offer of a temporary home – Fern kick starts her journey of self-discovery once again, enjoying all the joyous moments that nature has to offer (the montage cinematography along the way really is a treat). There are some heartfelt moments towards the end, as Fern and some of her comrades experience more loss, learning the important role that acceptance offers, with Bob Wells saying “There is no final goodbye. I just say I’ll see you down the road and you do”, in a powerful ending speech.
Nomadland is good, really – insert powerful swear word here – good. It doesn’t glamourize the life of a Nomad like some critics say, what it does is show the highs and the lows of this life in a beautiful way, built on positivity and community. This life chose these people because of heartbreak, and that is what connects every one of them, with Zhao highlighting the kindness between them all. Alone, nothing specifically stands out as breath-taking, but when you merge all the elements the film has to offer, it creates a magical experience. Nomadland is a fantastic film but should not be judged as just a film but as a feeling, so breath it in and enjoy everything that it has to offer.
Available to watch on Disney+ now.
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