Oscars 2014: Ranking Best Pictures From Worst To Best
4. Nebraska
Alexander Payne is a master at crafting intelligent films that carry a humanistic quality to them, and Nebraska is no different. Aside from being nominated for multiple awards including Best Picture obviously its also undeniably Paynes greatest filmmaking achievement. And it's not just because various themes are presented from filming it in black and white. Nebraska stars Bruce Dern as a dementia-stricken, senile old man named Woody who has fallen for a sweepstakes scam, and wants to do nothing else but travel to Nebraska to claim his $1million. Its quickly becoming his only reason to live, as he continuously leaves his house and just walks in a direction aimlessly, deluding himself into thinking hes headed there. His wife is at a breaking point and ready to place him in a nursing home, while his son David needs a break from his every-day life. Although David knows the sweepstake is a sham, he drives Woody anyway, embarking on one of the most bittersweet road trips in cinema. Bruce Dern may not have many lines, but everything from his crippling walk to his facial mannerisms which perfectly showcases a man without much going on upstairs portray a depressing shell of a man. Will Forte is also completely out of his element here, but delivers a brilliantly nuanced and deadpan performance. Its incredibly easy to connect with him, as the subject material hits close to home for undoubtedly many viewers. Yes, at times Nebraska is funny, but underneath that is something much more depressing. So why isnt it #1? As excellent as Nebraska is, the film does occasionally drag and is hindered by some painfully slow moments. Still, no one involved has anything to be ashamed of.
