Hello Fellow Travelers!
This is the type of film we all can enjoy now. But nooooo, I was tricked by the PR machine; "Nomadland" is widely acclaimed, brilliantly written, acted and produced. But, timing is everything and "Nomadland" is now less a tale of an independent woman finding her voice and more of a two hour illustration of how difficult being older and homeless is.
In short, it's dirty (like the ground dirt, not sexy), everybody is always freezing, in a barren part of the country. The aged "nomads" are always hungry and what food they get is disgusting. I mean it's seriously unappealing. The protagonist, Fern, needs a bath, badly. Frances McDormand( the aforementioned Fern) uses the highway as a toilet, and that's in the first five minutes (she'll probably get an Oscar. ) I saw it and wanted to shower. We are hurting and surviving in all kinds of ways. I get inspired by strong, beautiful, "dames" (Eva Gardner, Elizabeth Taylor, Deborah Kerr) who could simultaneously solve mysteries and toss off snappy one-liners in elegant drawing rooms.
"Nomadland" is neither beautiful or witty. All humans are filmed in "natural" (read: harshest, non-forgiving) light. Every "nomad" looks like they're itchy. There is nothing pleasant, if it were any more putrid, I'd contact a Hazmat Unit. It's not like the video tape in "The Ring" - you won't die if you see it. What seeing anything this totally bleak and grim can do is take a little of your joy. Movies have to remind me of how funny and amazing life can be.
During Covid, we watch an award-winner of some topic of general interest together, as a family. So, like the handwritten letter I opened, (Jehova's Witness propaganda, personally addressed, fooled me for a second) now Netflix requires increased security. I awoke this morning with my usual, glass-is-half-full optimism, but vetting of acclaimed, seemingly safe entertainment requires another layer, a closer look.
Stay vigilant. Dark images can come from anywhere, don't let anything steal your sunshine.
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