REVIEW: ‘Nomadland’ shows the sorrow and bliss of a road alone

“Nomadland” is written, edited and directed by Chloé Zhao and stars Frances McDormand in the lead role as Fern, a woman who has lost her husband and her entire town due to its sheetrock plant shutting down and has moved into her van to live on the open road as a nomad. In the film she is surrounded by an almost entire cast comprised of nonprofessional actors, and you would never realize based on the caliber of the performances throughout the film.

McDormand gives a masterful performance in this film that will undoubtedly land her an Oscar nomination, if not the trophy itself. She is able to capture, in the most amazing way, the haunting beauty of nomad life by showing the viewer in every scene the loneliness and vulnerability that comes with being entirely on your own, while also shining light on Fern’s happiness in picking that life by choice. Fern rarely shows her weaknesses and emotion in this film as we primarily see her in the light of an independent woman, only asking for help when it’s absolutely needed, while all at the same time being a soul who is truly looking for what she has lost — a sense of community.

The cinematography and direction in this film are absolute perfection; it showcases the beauty of the world and the wonderful companionship of genuine human relationships. It uses wide natural shots paired with subtle quiet dialogue sequences to remind us that the world we live in has so much to see, but our humanity and togetherness is what keeps us going. The masterful use of color and scope is what truly immerses you in this lifestyle that most of us could never imagine living — getting to see the entire United States while never truly having a home. As Fern puts it in the movie, she is houseless, not homeless, and there is a difference. As the film showcases, the bonds built by Fern in this lifestyle are stronger than so many we find ourselves in throughout our daily lives.

At its core, Nomadland is a film about community and finding one’s tribe. There is never a moment of raw loss or sadness, but rather a consistent showcase of the ups and downs of life: losing friends, money trouble and finding your way in the world while experiencing all of the wonder, happiness, laughter, tears and loneliness that comes with the existence we all share. It is the human experience put to film in a way I have never seen before. Being alone does not mean you are lonely. Fern finds friends in many different places and is always able to find her happiness in the life she lives, even when it is hard. She is the ideal protagonist for the audience to watch through this journey as she feels she has so little left in this life but chooses to keep searching — hoping she can find what she is looking for.

Nomadland is the embodiment of a love story, but not with another person, to the life we have all been lucky enough to have. It offers the perspective of a good life lived that is not worth giving up on. Fern always perseveres to live a happy life and to never forget the people she has met or the experiences she has had along the way. Perfectly described in what I think is the best quote in the film, “One of the things I love most about this life is that there’s no final goodbye. I’ve met hundreds of people out here and I don’t ever say a final goodbye. I always just say, “‘I’ll see you down the road.’ And I do. And whether it’s a month, or a year, or sometimes years, I see them again.”

I give Nomadland an A.