Movie Review: “Nomadland” is a soulful ode to living off the grid starring an outstanding Frances McDormand

NOMADLAND (R)

Since making its debut in late 2020,  Chloé Zhao’s soulful (and understated) Frances McDormand-headlined drama, “Nomadland” has been garnering a steady stream of awards season buzz. After seeing it, it’s easy to see why. This is a quiet, thoughtful little movie and while it isn’t flashy in any way,  “Nomadland” is certainly large in terms of character, particularly where this film’s lead is concerned.

In “Nomadland,” McDormand is Fern, a woman who marches to the beat of her own drum. Hit by the Great Recession and still reeling from heartache brought on by a tragedy from years earlier,  Fern spends her days as a modern-day nomad traveling throughout the American West in her makeshift home-on-wheels, working odd jobs in an effort to make ends meet, and engaging in conversations with a host of very real and very colorful characters during her travels. While I wouldn’t say I necessarily relate to Fern (I don’t know that I could live off the grid in a similar fashion),  I certainly admire and respect her individuality and the way she chooses to live her own life. This is the primary plot point that makes “Nomadland” such a special motion picture experience. Walking in Fern’s shoes for just under two hours is interesting, heartbreaking, bittersweet, and beautiful in equal measure.

As directed by a gifted Zhao (“The Rider”), “Nomadland” isn’t interested in car chases, big-time movie stars, and things that go boom (not that there’s anything wrong with those things.) Instead, “Nomadland” is interested in people. And when I say people, I mean mostly real people. Aside from the likes of McDormand and the occasional familiar performer (i.e. David Strathairn),  Zhao peppers this road trip movie of sorts with a host of effective non-actors in their natural habitat making for an authentic and intimate cinematic journey that often feels improvisational in nature. So authentic and so intimate, in fact, that you have to walk out of this film at least a little bit curious about what Zhao’s upcoming Marvel movie, “The Eternals,” is going to look and feel like.

This might be McDormand’s strongest work since her wonderfully offbeat turn in the Coen Brothers 1996 masterwork, “Fargo.” and that’s saying a lot because she’s been great in a lot of films since (Check out her commanding turn in “Three Billboards.”) While “Nomadland” certainly has a lot going for it–for starters, behold Joshua James Richards’s evocative cinematography and Ludovico Einaudi’s beautifully minimalistic score–the film ultimately rests atop of McDormand’s capable shoulders. This a restrained performance to be sure but there’s a lot of complexity there and this gifted actress brings a ton of emotion to this very subtle, beautifully nuanced turn. McDormand gets a boost from the appearances of several fresh faces, including the likes of a naturalistic Swankie, but she also gets a major assist from a wonderful David Strathairn as a fellow nomad who develops a bit of a crush on our unsuspecting protagonist, as well as  Melissa Smith as Fern’s well-to-do but admiring sister,  Dolly.

“Nomadland” does wax polemic on occasion but it resists the temptation to dwell on such moments. A little bit of grandstanding aside, this is really a story of Fern’s soul-searching journey and “Nomadland” wisely avoids beating us over the head with political statements or passing judgment on its characters. And quite honestly, the movie is all the more powerful for it. This film’s leisurely pace might be maddening for some, but in the end, “Nomadland” resonates because even if you can’t entirely relate to Fern’s way of life or the ways of the lives of the folks she comes into contact with, you can certainly relate to what these people are feeling. On a final note, props to an open-booked ending that allows viewers to decide where Fern might be headed following her quiet but moving journey in this thoughtful film.

“Nomadland” is currently playing in theaters and Imax (that would certainly be a great way to experience it.) Additionally, it’s currently streaming on various platforms at a premium price.