"Nomadland" (2020) | Sam Gall Movie Review Issue #169 Gem Mint 10

"Nomadland" (2020)

Director: Chloe Zhao

Writer: Chloe Zhao, Jessica Bruder (novel)

Starring: Frances McDormand, David Strathaim, Linda May, Bob Wells, Gay DeForest, Patricia Grier, Tay Strathaim, Cat Clifford

Rated: R for some full nudity

Runtime: 1h 47m

Genre: Drama

Country: United States

Language: English

Available on: Various VOD platforms

"A woman in her sixties, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad."

You might like this if you like: Dramas, Chloe Zhao, Traveling, Documentaries, Road Trips, Frances McDormand, David Strathaim

Frances McDormand in 'Nomadland' (2020)

I do think Chloe Zhao’s directorial debut ‘Songs My Brother Taught Me’ is still my favorite of hers, with ‘Eternals’ running up as 2nd. ‘Nomadland’ is still a magnificent film, more visually for me than others, though Frances McDormand carries it throughout.

'Nomadland' (2020)

I wasn’t super educated on the particular event they were discussing that happened in 2011 with people getting laid off, but it did create for these fascinating stories with people all across the United States. I loved them all, it carried over a lot of those documentary aspects I was into with getting the feeling of meeting new and unique people and just talking with them.

'Nomadland' (2020)

McDormand was something I felt maybe was missing in Zhao’s last couple films. I still think everyone did a great job in ‘The Rider’ and ‘Songs My Brother Taught Me’ especially, but McDormand took it to a whole other level for Zhao, then when you see ‘Eternals’ it’s like holy sh** that’s amazing what she can do with these legendary actors.

One aspect I think drew me to this that might not be for everyone was the van life aspect which is something my fiancée and I have been looking into. If anyone’s reading this and has some advice on used vans let me know!

'Nomadland' (2020)

Maybe not the most obvious narrative story to tell, but I do think Zhao did a great job at making it cinematic, respectful, and interesting. I just mean it seems like a story waiting to be turned into a documentary rather than a scripted / narrative film which Zhao ended up doing. Certainly worth the awards I think, and the Asian representation hits the heart hard for me. We need more. This is just the beginning.

Written by Sam Gall on Dec 21, 2021

CGC Grading: Gem Mint 10.0

"Chloe Zhao's Nomadland mimics life scrupulously..." - Namrata Joshi, National Herald (India)

"What's most striking about Nomadland is the almost incidental manner in which it tells its stories - eschewing strident dramatic crises or narrative lurches for something altogether more ambient." - Mark Kermode, Observer (UK)

"Frances McDormand delivers a career-best turn in this gently meditative drama about the failure of the American dream." - Linda Marric, The Jewish Chronicle

"Not since Robert Redford in All Is Lost has a star performer carried an entire film through wordless looks and glances." - Kevin Maher, Times (UK)

Official Trailer:

Behind the Scenes:

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