Nomadland reviewed by Mark Kermode
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- čas přidán 29. 04. 2021
- Mark Kermode reviews Nomadland. After losing everything in the recession, Fern takes to the road, living in her van and joining a loose community of nomadic senior citizens.
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Watched it last night, such a lovely film.
I'm a little disappointed sound of metal didn't get more love at the Oscars, for me (it's a personal thing) it's one of the best ''films'' I've seen in a long time.
Really i think it did well to win 2 oscars did you seriously think it could win the big prize
@@65g4 no I thought that Nomadland would win the big prize, wasn't surprised, just a little disappointed.. but each is own
@@tobylerone4285 very well put
Couldn’t agree more. Sound of Metal deserved Best Picture and Best Actor
I struggle with the fact that we live in a world where The Sound of Metal lost out to Promising Young Woman for best screenplay. Shame Riz didn’t get best actor but I think he will in the next few years as he’s one of the best of his generation.
I was lucky enough to see this in cinemas in Australia a few weeks ago. Not my favourite film of all time but definitely an enjoyable one. Feels more like a docu-drama to me. Congrats to Cholé Zhao and everyone involved in the film.
Agreed. It feels more like a documentary than a big screen film.
NGL I found the film quit uneventful at the beginning, but then I started to see it as a documentary and I enjoyed it more.
I went in to this expecting very little, but receiving so very much. It's storytellling with a delicate pace and nuaced moods that will pull you into the narrative if you're receptive to the story and POV of the characters. Anyone who has ever lived without assumptions of comfort and structure will recognize, but those who are not will gain insight and hopefully, perspective. This film shows a version of America's future that many might understand, but is not where conversations about the future generally begin.
Echoing the calls to correct the spelling of 'Zhao'
Personally, I was disappointed that the film omitted the political dimension that the book it was based on brought to the story. Maybe this is just a personal thing but I think it's rather telling that Amazon allowed Zhao to film in their warehouses.
Yeah cause the movie Is not condemning Amazon....It is actually glorifying the nomad lifestyle as if It were a choice they happily undertake...
Despite being ok with this movie initially, I think its win made me despise It a bit.
@@batitony Glorifying? You see people shit in a bucket, work for small pennies, be thrown out of a parking lot and having back problems. Not in any way is this movie glorifying the life style.
@@Jonatan606 I thought it struck a balance. It showed the hardships but definitely showed the romantic parts of life on the road too.
It paints Amazon in a great light. If the film makers decided to depict the truth about working in an Amazon warehouse i guarantee you they would not have been allowed to film on location.
@@BurnMyEyes0107 or Amazon don't care because nothing can touch them 🤷♀️
She is a wonderful actress
"What would a Western look like under late capitalism with its precarious and commoditised workforce, little social safety nets and increased social alienation?" well, this.
More like "Hell or high water" from 2016
It had a touch of 'The Grapes of Wrath' about it.
Hmmm. I had a completely different reaction to this film. I feel it should have been a documentary, and that the character of Fern was not difficult to portray. Although Frances Mcdormand is talented there is no way her character required the acting chops to play it as much as Sir Anthony Hopkins needed to play The Father.
Agree... Her performance was called understated when in fact she was hardly given anything to say or react to.
I totally agree. Furthermore, the movie in itself was filmed like a documentary using $20k film lenses. Where is the infusion of Hollywood magic? When I think of Best Picture, I think of the distillation of the best as[ects of what makes a great film. Nomadland is a stripped down version of a film. Very forgettable and limited resonance.
Great character study and absolutely brilliant acting. I like it but don't love it
Mark's description reminded me of 'The Straight Story', which sounded like a dreary slog on paper for a road movie, but which also turned out to be a homage to good-hearted people and the world they lived in.
The Straight Story (which I absolutely love) is definitely the film Nomadland reminded me of as I was watching it. The sense that you’re seeing the ‘real’ America
yes, and also check out 'Leave No Trace' if you haven't seen it
Credit, I didn't make that connection, but you are right, they are quite similar in tone...
@@IMBd Good call out for a lovely film.
@@deveshsood6087 Thanks. Credit is mostly due to MK's review, as I haven't seen Nomadland yet, but look forward to seeing it immensely.
I thought it captured the chronic loneliness of a 21st century human quite well and the ways in which we're trying to fill the void but it didn't really rock my world. I found it to be a rather difficult watch but not because of the emotional weight, I just felt it dragged quite a bit and could have easily been 20 minutes shorter. Overall it's Joshua James Richards' stunning work that makes this film stand out, without it I'm quite sure it would have been missable even with McDornand in it
The message seems very wholesome. Looking forward to seeing this for sure
The scene with Fern and her sister made me cry. Am I the only one??
Fantastic review!! Thank you.
It was alright. Would i watch it again, no. Was it a bad film, no.
This film is so sad but it’s really good. It’s like, The wrestler with Mickey rourke great film very sad. Anyway I love both these films. Time just gets away from us !!
Excellent breakdown of the film too, gents!
Anyone else get a vibe of the Michelle Williams film Wendy & Lucy with this? Although Nomadland has more hope in it.
I wasn’t blown away. Very enjoyable though
Very good review... encouraging 🤩
There's a scene near the end of the movie in which a single shot pulled everything together for me, it made a film I was already loving into an all-timer
Which scene out of curiosity?
@@encased3427 It's the final shot when Fern returns to her old home, I think. It's a throwback to one of the most iconic images ever used in a western (I'm trying really hard not to do spoilers) and the whole thing that Mark talked about it echoing back to the mythos of the West suddenly hit me something glaringly obvious that I hadn't really noticed
Great review guys, wholeheartedly agree - see you down the road
Great review bro
is the business in that clip having a power outage? Are they open for business? Why aren't the lights turned on?
Great film.
Please correct the spelling on the video to ‘Zhao’
*No spoilers here.*
NOMADLAND showcases a very particular way of living that only some individuals are a part of, and yet, it manages to encapsulate what life is all about. All human beings interact with someone every day. Yes, even loners with strangers. Each interaction can be a meaningful experience as long as we allow it to be. The protagonist of this movie (Fern) isn't the most extreme example since she does have friends and living relatives, but she doesn't see them on a daily basis, so she can still feel lonely. No matter the problem (emotional or not), she always gets back up and carries on. Most of her encounters with other people (including the brief ones) are full of joy and subtle humor, thanks partly to Frances McDormand's contagious smile. Early on, we see Fern telling her new friend Swankie about her late husband Bo. Fern says that she thought about assisted suicide while he was sick, but Swankie tells her that maybe Bo wouldn't have wanted it. That maybe he wanted to stay with Fern as long as he could. Why is this dialogue so great? Because during a previous exchange, Swankie said that she supports euthanasia to the point where she would do it to herself. That's right: A person picked a side in a highly debated topic but still has enough empathy to look at things from the other side in order to make another person feel better. Is there anything in this movie that doesn't work? Well, there are too many cuts during the scenes where there's nothing happening but a conversation. I'm sure it was done for pacing reasons, since it's not a very eventful plot, but it's still excessive. However, it's not bad enough to overshadow other artistic and technical aspects. Besides, editor/producer/writer/director Chloé Zhao redeems herself with the immersive montages and with the clever ways in which she ends a scene and starts the next one. She throws viewers in the middle of a situation with enough hints for us understand what's going on and to figure out how much time has passed. Honestly, I didn't want the movie to end.
10/10
Great review
@@Hassan97moe Thanks!
The film desperately needs a simple, well-defined plot. It would've been much better as a documentary. Its main focus is documenting the monotonous but joyous life of Fern, struggles and all, and it does so perfectly. But my experience as a viewer was also exactly that; monotonous. I cared about Fern, sure, but I needed something more than that.
You got real life pal. You got an insight into real living. I really thought it was something special.
I live in a rv and I love it
The cinema in my area opend yesterday so im going tonight to watch the movie, wanted to see it on the big screen so ignored that it was on disney+
It had a docudrama feel rather than a feature and I feel like it didn’t have one specific thing to say. However, the cinematography is incredible and Fran is of course, incredible.
Do you not see it as a positive that the Oscars have rewarded a film that doesn't tie life up into one simple theme with a big bow on the end?
@@THEDONTTELLSHOW no because they could have given it to The Father which is a better movie in every measureable way and also doesn't sugar coat it's outcome.
Better performances, better scripted, better staged, more engaging, emotional, dramatic, entertaining, thought provoking, sad.
Like others have said, Nomadland is like a faux documentary. It works if there are real people with real insights. That's engaging. This feels artificial and a bit hollow. Not quite sure what the point was. Maybe it's just me.
@@kevtb874 there is no measurable way. Art is subjective.
@@THEDONTTELLSHOW there's no measureable way of judging food either apparently but we all know a well prepared lassgne is better than some dry crackers.
Fair enough if you liked it. Hell I liked it too. I just think the accolades are extremely overblown when compared to a tightly written story like The Father which has a powerhouse career best performance from one of the best actors of his generation. Feel like this is destined to be a year in which the wrong movie won. I can't imagine people wanting to revisit this in 10+ years. People will need to be reminded of what won in 2021. Stinks of The Hurt Locker and Crash. Movies that won for their subject matter rather than the movie itself.
I like nomadland, in parts this movie seemed like a modern take of "the grapes of wrath" but without the violence?
The scenery, music and acting are nice but it drags. You could watch the movie backwards and it wouldn’t make any difference.
Woman lives in van and meets fellow good natured nomads. The end.
Fundamentally a very good film that has fun making something good about fundamentally good people in not so good situations, some dam mental situations.
I've watched it twice. It's good. I hoped for more the second time around as I found with other movies.,still just good IMHO ....I'd love to see a Ken Loach British type take on it.
I thought the same I , Daniel Blake was tough going .Ken Loach is amazing
It was a beautiful movie ,in my top 10 of all time ,The good the bad and the ugly of America ,sadness humour and reality,
Yeah, it was fine. She's always good , but it was just... fine.
edit: The portrayal of working for Amazon was jarring to say the least, taking into account the absolute horror stories that make the newspapers every other week. There's a line where she is asked how it is working for Amazon and her reply something along the lines of, "it's ok... the money is good." I very nearly turned the film off. This was the grossest type of product placement.
I thought probably she was being sarcastic..
Spell check Chloé Zhao on your TV screen
can't wait to go and see this IN A CINEMA (please God) and then discuss it afterwards IN THE PUB !
Best film of 2020 and 2021 💁🏻♂️
Behind the hype of America,the crass tv comedies etc ,lies real people who are struggling,and don't have two cars and huge houses,and lots of money. This film should be seen.
I have yet to see Nomadland, but given all the commentary here blasting it for NOT getting all preachy about the "evils of capitalism" or other such paint-by-numbers moralizing, I definitely will see it...
I'll hope for a wonderfully ambiguous depiction of the mix of good and not-so-good in the characters on screen, but if it's nothing more than a bit of light fluff with beautiful cinematography, at least my wife will love it and I can content myself with the pretty pictures...
Spot on
I can all too well imagine another world in which this movie was a little independent one and got little recognition or accolades because I don't get it. It's a simple, sweet, at times sad little story with no real drama or progress or meat on its bones. It's feels incomplete. Like some made a movie out of a bland slice of life documentary and didn't bother to dramatise it in any way.
I mean...it was fine. But it was not in any way shape or form Best Pic. Not in a year when The Father was released. As for Best Actress, not quite sure how a movie in which the lead character pretty much holds everything inside and silently stares at most people is award winning. She was good at what she had to work with but giving her best Actress awards for this role is like awarding a single grape best meal, because it was really quite a delicious grape. One note, but good.
This movie cured my insomnia
0/10
I watched it because of the beautiful cinematography in the trailer. For me the film meandered and ended as it began... No discernable arc for the protagonist because of its lack of structure. One could show the good in people without sanitizing the nomads. No swearing, no anger except when her dishes broke? No love or laughter or fear being a woman alone? The film was emotionally stuck in first gear.
Agreed. And unlike the book it doesn’t tell how most of these nomads are not there by choice. Financial conditions have pushed them to the edges of society.
@@braxxian Isn’t that evident? They should not have to say it word for word, explaining.
Very middle of the road, almost stripped back (in typical genre convention style) to the point it no longer really seemed like a film. Just a loose string of events in overcast settings.
The In Memoriam section was shocking and moving 'Best Actor' to the last award, hoping Chadwick Boseman would win it, was insulting to Chadwick (and his family), Hopkins, Zhao (misspelled as Zhoa on your title card) and everyone else involved in making Nomadland.
Still love you though Mark.
finally bruhh
Please correct the spelling, it's Zzzzhao.
I disagree with Mark on this one. I found it sort of uplifting, but not entertaining per-say. Renting it would be fine.
Loved it, great film
Definitely want to watch this. Loved the last couple of Best Pictures Green Book and Parasite so I think this will be a treat.
Pls review 'the disciple' by chaitanya tamhaane
I liked The Rider a lot more
Mark needs a touch of the henna, unlike mr Mayo
Ludicrous spelling of “Zhao”!
I feel like Zhao’s comment was aspirational, and it having been borne out in her experience of the world likely has more to say about her than about the people with whom she has come into contact. People are fallen; people are vindictive and petty and eager to punish and have scouring capacities for judgment. We’re all capable of beautiful, gracious, altruistic acts - but our default setting is viciousness. The struggle is how - day in and day out - to overcome our natures. Some of us do a good job of it, others less so. Still, I love this film - it reminds of how I might see the world through new eyes. And I thought the Oscars were deeply misjudged in terms of production decisions, rhythm, tone. It was like three hours of Novocaine delivered in a diamond syringe.
Zhao's father was a steel executive and she was sent to boarding schools overseas. So she grew up very privileged, and probably has met "mostly good" people in her life. Wealth protects you from a lot of ugliness. I would hope that she has the self-awareness to realize but comments suggest otherwise.
@@pinkpearl1967 So you’re saying that “mostly good” people are those who are wealthy? That she feels this way because she grew up privileged? So
lower-class people are the despicable ones? I’d argue that we’re all despicable.
@@OldBluesChapterandVerse No I'm saying that rich people don't experience the harshness of the world as much as average people. Rich people are in a bubble. They can surround themselves with people who will always be nice to them. So no wonder Zhao thinks most people are good.
Zhao
I noticed that too
What about it?..
@@mira3ful Spelt as "Zhoa" on the video
I've noticed it in the meantime:)
After watching the movie, it made me realized that loneliness is a bitch.
Loved this film! In my opinion, it deserved the oscars it received!
For me its a masterpiece, one of my favorite best picture winners
Wow...
@Rightwing Leftwing 🧢
Gotta say, I don't get the hype around this movie. It has great atmosphere and is well shot... but it feels like all first act, and then it just stops. I get the idea that not every movie needs to be plot-heavy, but after a while, I got pretty bored.
I didn't have it on my frontrunner list for the oscars, and I was completely taken by surprised, when I started to hear that it was considered a darling and front-runner.
Honestly thought it was boring.
You clearly missed the point then.
3:03 important asl
Was close to turning Nomadland off when I watched it. You know it's been a bad year for film when this is supposedly the best one. It's indie, it's alternative, which makes it cool to see a film of this sort reach the highest heights in film awards. But it's also nothing that special and at times boring honestly. Some people could really like it and I get that, but best film of the year?
I agree, I've seen more compelling versions of it on Vice news
Film portrayed the difficulties of the nomadic lifestyle…felt quite bleak 😢
Lovely film - connecting with other people, connecting with nature
There is some good in the world, but it is unfortunately naive to say most people are fundamentally good. On occasion I even disappoint myself.
I believe people are fundamentally good, but it's a close ratio, like 60/40 or even 55/45. And that's why we need lots of laws and regulations and contracts and even religion: to keep people in line and chaos and evil at bay. As many films and TV shows and novels have shown us it doesn't take much for a "good" person to go bad.
Most people are decent but intimately self serving. And there are some who are just plain bad. Very few people in the world are genuinely good.
Great film, but it left me feeling miserable.
I really didnt enjoy it, I went out and bought it on dvd watched it on a big screen so it looked visually beautiful. But Frances who is always brilliant is the worst thing in this. The use of real nomads works, and marks it feel part acting part documentary, but then you get her character who felt so forced to me. Where as in 3 Billboards Frances was fantastic and Peter Dinklage just felt wrong.
Kermode you tickle my fancy
okkaaayyy buddy, chill the hormones.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wait, this is the same Kermode who ranted about Sex and the City 2? Where's the rage over the fact that capitalism drives so many into these difficult circumstances, in REAL LIFE? Nomadland is the other side of the coin from SATC2 and Kermode is like "ah, what a well-made film".
Oscar is a sure stamp of boring
It’s well directed but weak plot but that could be the point as it’s nomadic. Wild with Reese Witherspoon is better and worth repeat viewing. Enjoyed the film but won’t watch it again.
I found it pretty boring to be honest.
Didn't like it and I don't think it would have won best picture in a normal year. The pacing is bad, there isn't really a plot, too many characters, not much character development.
The Oscars were a joke. Low ratings for a reason, actors stop preaching. We only like to watch you perform.
One of the more disappointing Oscar winners. Forgettable to a large extent and laughably uses Amazon in a tepid and frankly tone-deaf manner.
Mark has always been pretty unapologetic about his socialist views, and in spite of that I’ve always loved him. But mate, seriously... the oscars this year was a farce. Because of COVID about three people have seen the films nominated, and as far as I can tell they were nominated mostly because of social issues. I’ve no problem with art and politics colliding, that would rid us of some amazing works, but when the richest people and most spoiled in the world kick the homeless out of a train station to pat each other on the back- I check out. Those goody bags were worth 250k!!
If Hollywood keep alienating people with this naive political posturing they’ll have completely lost people on cinema and they’ll have to make marvel films until 2050 to make any money. Keep the politics out, and if you do want to make a statement- it better be damn good because bad, politically motivated posturing is nothing more than propaganda.
Well said David
Well said
It's banned in China.
You are kidding me?
What?
Trump tweeted?
Don't think so...
People are fundamentally good. I agree. is it 'woke' to say that?
not a very good film, very disappointing. Meandering and dull, not a lot to say and pulls its punches majorly with social commentary
2 hours of my life I won't get back. One of those types of films Oscar nobs love. The noble nomad, either through circumstance or choice, eschewing modern societal responsibilities to wander aimlessly around cold bleak landscapes to connect with Mother Earth. Worthy and boring. I don't go to the movies to watch a 2 hour depressing doco about 'houseless' people. If I wasn't with the missus I would have walked out before halfway.
It's about half an hour too long and might be a contender for some indie award or Sundance, but definitely no best picture at the Oscars. I certainly wouldn't rush back to the cinemas to watch some pretty sunsets and American vista landscapes. It's OK and that's it. Definitely not a re-watchable and a pretty dreary year for the Academy which seems to be spiralling into averageness and virtue signalling rather than art.
Lay off politics mate
It is a very very good film. Great, it is not.
Overrated.... will fade away and only be remembered by movie buffs and film historians.
Well who else do you expect to remember independent films? I mean that’s who they’re for.
@@tobyrant4125 To win for the absolute Best of all the films in a given year, one would al least have a film which contributes to the work of that art, if not then advancing that art, then have a uniqueness and originality which "Nomadland" does not have. It adds nothing, it says nothing new, it merely ambles along for it's running time, throwing in a completely unnecessary nude scene, and petering out to the nothingness it is, driving another nail into the leaden laden coffin lid which the Academy Awards have become in the last few years. They have betrayed their audiences (view the ratings) and above all the original reason the awards were created for.
@@thelookuplookdown did you think driving miss daisy was unique or original? Or crash? Wake up, the academy awarding bad/unoriginal films is nothing new. The only difference is I do believe Nomadland is original, it executes the docufiction aspect better than I have ever seen, it’s utterly humanist and one of the greatest pieces of naturalistic film I’ve seen. But by all means, who am I to tell you what and what not to enjoy, if it wasn’t for you then express that.
@@tobyrant4125 I never made any comments on the validity on "Crash" or "Driving Miss Daisy" or their originality, so I'm not sure why you are attacking me on them. Both those films, along with "Green Book" had no business winning Best Picture Oscars especially considering films like "2001: A Space Odyssey", "Psycho" and the devastating "Come and See" were never even nominated, and all three are masterpieces. We beg to differ on the merits of "Nomadland" the difference being I respect your point of view and you do not mine. Thank you for the interactions. I wish you well.
Wait, Donald Trump tweeted??
A bit boring, nothing really happens
Mark thanks for trump comment 👍🏾
This film is underwhelming and very overrated. Sound of Metal was significantly better
@Chris Winn I understand that perspective, however I felt that Nomadland was underwritten. McDormand was excellent, but the script procrastinated in providing insightful details about Fern’s struggle (estranged relationship with family, late husband). This dragged the film and prevented me from becoming invested in the character or the film’s message. That said, I don’t think Sound of Metal is perfect, but I do think the tragedy that Riz carried on his back (or ears lol) bares more weight, resulting in a more captivating experience. The combined intensity of his performance and the sound design truly made me feel his pain, and unfortunately, as someone who’s family lost so much during the Great Recession, Nomadland didn’t make me feel much.
I don't know how this got an Oscar? It's awful! Yeah, you see how they cope in life & the values they have but there's more story in a Haven holidays advert than in this movie!
Redeemed yourself after not liking the Snyder cut lol
Ahh let's be real, the Synder Cut is a great version of a terrible movie. Therefore making it slightly above decent
Imagine taking someone's review of a comic book film seriously
@@DDChorror it's a good movie lol at 4 hours or something it should get stale a little but it doesnt
@@jakegibbard shush
@@martin..3700 😛
Just the type of tremendously boring movie the Oscars love. Excuse me, tremendously boring film.
You liked the Oscars because Trump tweeted against them🤦🏾♂️
Trump was right. Oscars were boring. Sadly, entertainment has become more an more political. Stop beating us over the head with politics.