Nomadland

Synopsis: : A woman embarks on a journey through the American West after losing everything during the recession.

Movie Review: “Nomadland” is directed by Chloe Zhao and stars Frances McDormand as a lonely woman who lives in a van and travels to place to place. McDormand plays Fern a 60-year-old woman who loses her husband and town then decides to leave everything and travel across country living her life in a van. Chloe Zhao perfectly captures the nomad lifestyle and how it can be lonely and peaceful but at times unhygienic and unsafe. Frances McDormand shows all of that in her outstanding performance playing this emotional and strong woman who has been beaten down by tragedy and society but continues on working different jobs in order to survive. (I predict an Oscar nomination for McDormand.) David Strathairn plays a man named Dave who forms a connection with Fern at one of the nomad campsites. He becomes a friend and mentor to her, and I felt they shared great on-screen chemistry in all their scenes together. The cinematography really stood out in this film. Every framed shot looked like a work of art and every place that Fern travels to looks unique to the scene before it. I also, enjoyed the musical Score; it was a balance of the highs and lows of the story. I also loved how every person Fern meets in the film feels real and their stories are personal. However, this film does get repetitive toward the middle and seems the depiction of Fern’s life, leaving conventional society for a modern-day nomad is long and drawn out at times. This film isn’t for everyone, but I really enjoyed its message, especially the performance by Frances McDormand. I am giving “Nomadland” a 4 out of 5 stars.

Director: Chloe Zhao

Cast: Frances McDormand and David Strathairm

Runtime: 107 minutes