Nomadland

 I was curious and anxious (in a good way) to watch Nomadland, but a few minutes in I became even more  anxious (in a not-so-good way.)  it’s a heavy lift during a dark time but a must see movie. Almost a docudrama, as Frances McDormand acts in situations with actual “Rubber Road Tramps”, it definitely cuts too close to the bone as you reflect how near many of us —native and immigrant—American dreamers have come to financial disaster at some point in our lives and makes one wonder what the future holds for the next generations. That it was directed by an immigrant American (Chloe Zhao) gives it even more depth and emotion. At the outset of the tech era, they described the computer in the home and workplace as blurring work and leisure. Nomadland , and the 21st century economic reality for many it portrays, shows a world where “travel” and survival are inexorably mixed, in a sort of non-violent boomer prequel to “Mad Max”, an alternative society that is at once social and supportive but highly individualistic.

Anthony Napoli

Beacon, NY