Rent Nomadland on Amazon Video (paid link) // Buy the book (paid link)
Written by: Chloé Zhao (written for the screen by), Jessica Bruder (based on the book by)
Directed by: Chloé Zhao
Starring: Frances McDormand, David Strathairn, Linda May
Rated: R
Watch the trailer
Plot
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.
Verdict
This is a look at a way of life, and at times it feels like a documentary, or a dramatization of one. While this has a narrow focus, it remains interesting as we follow Fern on her journey, unsure of what lies ahead. The divide between executives and laborers has never been greater. While there are people that choose this life, it certainly seems that Fern was at least helped into this life by a company that didn't provide quite enough.
It depends.
Review
Zhao's previous film The Rider has a very similar feel as if it's part documentary. Her movies do a great job humanizing the main character.
The movie implies Fern is from Empire, Nevada. When the gypsum plant shut down the factory town all but disappeared. Fern is without a home, not homeless as she travels in her van looking for work People can't understand it, and I don't quite understand it. She has the freedom to go anywhere, but she seems to be struggling to survive. While she has the potential to go anywhere, she must follow work. Thus that freedom is merely an illusion.
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| Frances McDormand plays Fern. |
What caused Fern's mobile lifestyle? Was it her town and job disappearing, with it being easier to find work when you're not tied to a particular city? Fern mentions a husband. It seems he may have passed. She may be traveling as a means to leave her past life behind. With the first scene a title card about where she worked, this has to be related to money.
This looks at survival and community. Nomads live differently, and Fern has a lot to learn. Most of this movie is Fern acclimating to this life. While she has friends, the fleeting nature of van life means that people move on, quit traveling, or just disappear. There's an aspect of welcoming and togetherness that just isn't depicted when people's homes are immobile.
What does it all mean? This has to be a commentary on capitalism. Despite working at the factory for years, Fern can't afford retirement. Everything she owns is in the van. She's driven to chase down work where she can find it. While a company after profit isn't a bad thing, Fern is a byproduct. When the company was done with her, they left her with seemingly nothing. I'd be willing to bet the C-suite level executives made out much better. Companies want to push the idea that an employee is responsible to the company, but companies never seem to feel any responsibility to the employee.
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