“On January 31, 2011, due to reduced demand for sheetrock, US Gypsum shut down its plant in Empire, Nevada after 88 years. By July, the Empire zip code, 89405, was discontinued.” – Filmmaker.
Filmed documentary style, the drama Nomadland takes you on a trip around the country with Fern (Frances McDormand) a recently out of work woman. At first she visits old stomping grounds and taking jobs wherever available. Much like the definition of the word Nomad, she wanders, but without a definite plan. The people she meets tells the story of their own lives and things they have done since packing up from cities like the failed Empire, Nevada. Now in the 21st century more than ever, the film rings true. It’s truly a sad vision of the future caught on camera. It’s a masterpiece of filmmaking.
There are many stories similar to Fern’s and we continue her adventure. Packing up what she could fit in her van, elderly Fern strikes out to look for work with her first stop being an Amazon warehouse for the Christmas rush. Her job is packing boxes on the conveyor for final labeling and shipping. From there we follow Fern as she tries to find her new way in life. Friendly, but sometimes stubborn, her life is one that you will be remember well after the credits roll.
The performance as Fern by Frances McDormand is outstanding and certainly Oscar worthy. While the film may not be for everyone, it’s an eye opener for a huge number of people “in the same boat”. Their truths are real and represent a good number of homeless travelers not unlike the people Fran meets.
Almost settling for good in a place called Rubber Tramp Rendesvous in the heartland, it’s a place where travelers lean how to be Nomads. Here she finds people like her and strengthens her outlook through their troubles an realizes she’s not alone. From people not working and in their 60’s/70’s to the homeless (or “houseless” as Fern says) they all have a lot in common. And as one traveler says in the film “There’s no final goodbye, they just say: I’ll see you down the road”.
Nomadland has been rated R by the MPAA for some full nudity. The film is in theaters and streaming on Hulu starting February 19, 2021. My rating is 5 out of 5 Stars.
At the following Florida Theaters: Check local listings for other Florida locations.
AMC WOODLANDS SQUARE
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
