Nebraska (2013, Alexander Payne)

Nebraska has to be amongst the most heartfelt films I've seen in recent times. An expertly crafted one of a kind road flick. It's not the usual going to tour a location kind of a film, rather Payne focuses on memories, family dynamics and numerous obligations in this conflicting adventurous ride.

The film follows Woody, a man who's mixing up stuff and is on the verge of clumping down (the clumsiness portrayed to perfection by Bruce Dern) and his son David on their voyage to Nebraska to collect a million-dollar prize. The two alongside Woody's wife and elder son takes on the journey meeting up old friends, mustering up memories as well as injecting loads of insults all the way.

The father-son connection is intricately woven in the film. There's a father who thinks he won a million dollars and there's a son who knows the fact that all of it is a hoax yet to spend some quality time with his dad agrees to travel with him, just to divert his senses from getting fragmented by the mundanity of existence.

Albeit it's termed as a road movie, Payne examines the ever-evolving nature of human beings rather than plopping his characters into an endless expedition. The topography of the places Payne chooses to shoot his film is simply phenomenal and his whole tale being monochromatic, elicits a distinct feeling altogether, which is palpable throughout. 

Payne's ability to extract light humour and pathos from the banal and monotonous life along with presenting a blend of joyous and sombre music keeps the film floating like fine wine. Payne never overdoes anything and strikes a perfect balance, floating between melancholy and putrefaction.

It's warm, delicate and is bound to leave a smile by the time it wraps up.