Following on from the Oscar-winning The Descendants, Alexander Payne (About Schmidt, Sideways) returns with another familial drama.
It centres on Woody Grant (Bruce Dern), an irascible old man suffering the onset of dementia, who believes he has won a million dollar marketing prize. In order to claim the prize, Woody must travel 700 miles from Montana to Nebraska to collect it.
Failing to believe the prize is authentic, his wife and sons are reluctant to let Woody go. After several failed attempts to walk to Nebraska, Woody’s son David (Will Forte) finally agrees to take him on the road trip.
Shot by Payne regular Phedon Papamichael in beautiful black-and-white widescreen, the film delicately and humorously explores issues of filial/parental estrangement, small town living and the changing nature of family roles with ageing parents.