A Look at "Nebraska" (in Color) and Why Black and White Matters

Left to right: Bruce Dern and Will Forte

Like a strong portion of film critics, I loved director Alexander Payne's Nebraska. From its story to the wondrous scenery, there was plenty of charm in it that eventually lead to six Academy Award nominations. When it was decided that it would be airing on Epix in color, I was immediately torn between admiration for Payne's intended cut and the original format that was created for countries that preferred colorized editions. It either feels like an exclusive or the biggest attention-grabbing scheme in Epix's short history. Nonetheless, I watched it with enthusiasm and I am here to report on the film's quality and if it changes (note: this is not a review of the film but a comparison to the alternative versions. Read my original review here).

"Nebraska" is an Enjoyable Ride Down Memory Lane

Left to right: Bruce Dern and Will Forte

*Originally published at CinemaBeach here.

The opening scene to director Alexander Payne’s latest film Nebraska follows protagonist Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) as he is walking alongside the freeway. As he is questioned by a police officer on where he is going, he simply points his finger in the direction of Lincoln, Nebraska. Before we know anything about Grant’s personality or motives, we understand his psyche. This is an old man who is not all there and suffers from severe cases of wanderlust. This may sound like the set-up for a barrage of geriatric insults but as the opening credits close and we meet his son David (Will Forte), it is quickly revealed that there is much more going on. Woody’s senility isn’t the source of the film’s humor. It is actually from everyone’s inability to communicate properly.