1167. Nebraska

Nebraska
2013
Directed by Alexander Payne

Alexander Payne movies are always comforting to me, and I could use the warm, cinematic hug right now. This was probably my least favorite Payne movie we've seen so far, but because it's Payne, it's still pretty good. 

Woody Grant is desperately trying to get to Lincoln, Nebraska. He believes he has won a million dollar sweepstakes prize, and has to collect it in person, and he doesn't trust the mail with that kind of money. His long suffering son, David, realizes its a scam, but decides to help Woody get to Lincoln anyway, as Woody's increasing confusion makes it difficult to bond.

I usually fall in love with the characters of a Payne film within five minutes of starting the movie. Unfortunately, that didn't really happen here. I don't know what it was. Maybe I had a hard time taking Will Forte seriously, having seen him as a silly character in so many other things. Payne specializes in dark humor, but I had a hard time locating the humor in this situation. Of course, that might be because I am in a great deal of pain. But it's easier to blame it on Bruce Dern's crankiness.

I always like how Payne characters make attempts to improve their lives in really small ways. The theme was similar here, but I didn't feel for the characters that much. Oh well, thankfully, I have many more Payne movies I haven't seen.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

Payne wanted to make this movie for years, but was only able to make it happen after the success of The Descendants. 

First Payne movie where he didn't write the script.

1113. The Descendants

The Descendants
2011
Directed by Alexander Payne

A couple of weeks ago I watched Gravity, and since then, I have had a George Clooney shaped hole in my heart. I was hoping The Descendants would fill that void. 

Matt King is the sole trustee of a family trust of 25,000 acres of land on Kauai. Matt is being pressured by his cousins to sell the land, thereby making the rest of the family rich, but Matt has other concerns on his mind. His wife was recently in a boating accident, leaving her comatose. Matt is utterly clueless about how to raise his two daughters alone, both of whom have a serious case of sassmouth. It soon becomes clear that Matt didn't know his wife as well as he thought.

I am a big fan of Alexander Payne. His films have such compelling characters that it is a pleasure just to watch them interact together, even when the plot isn't moving forward. Naturally, given the setting of Hawaii, this was a beautiful movie. Matt King speaks about other Americans' perceptions of Hawaii as a sort of mythical paradise where everybody just surfs, and it's true. It's hard to imagine being truly miserable there.

Hollywood once again squanders the opportunity to cast people of color, even when the story would really allow for it. But that's the extent of the griping I'll do over casting Clooney, because he is dreamy. I also found the voiceover somewhat unnecessary; it seems like a case of telling, not showing. 

It was still a satisfying movie and Payne always manages to warm my icy heart.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Kristen Stewart and Amanda Seyfried both auditioned for the role of Alexandra.

Robin Williams was considered for the role of Matt King. Bullet successfully dodged.

981. Sideways

Sideways
2004
Directed by Alexander Payne

This is a favorite of mine and one that I have been looking forward to for a long time.  I find the character of Miles extremely relatable (probably not a good thing) and the dialogue in this film absolutely brilliant.

Miles is taking is old college roommate Jack on a wine tour to celebrate Jack's upcoming nuptials.  Miles is failed divorced author whose wine obsession is clearly more than just a hobby, while Jack is a washed up actor.  Much to Miles' dismay, Jack informs him that he plans on getting laid on the trip and will do everything he can to make sure Miles has sex too.  Jack finds what he is looking for in a sexy wine pourer and Miles becomes interested in her friend Maya.

In lesser hands, this would have been a fairly disgusting bromance movie, where the two leads form an unlikely bond while having gross sexual misadventures.  Fortunately, Payne never condescends to the viewer and delivers a very real story about two flawed friends.  No one plays a down and out loser better than Paul Giamatti.  The scene between Maya and Miles when they discuss their love of wine is truly beautiful and always makes me feel guilty that I avoid red wine completely.  The humor in this film comes from very genuine human foibles and awkwardness, which is something we can all relate to.  If this were a typical Hollywood comedy, there probably would have  been some misunderstanding involving a prostitute.

Another strong contender for the Best Picture Oscar of the 00s (one of the most coveted awards in recent history).

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

The food that Miles, Jack, and Miles' mother ate together gave all of the actors food poisoning.

Most of the wine the actors' drank was non alcoholic.

Paul Giamatti doesn't like wine.