Keizertimes., March 19, 2021, Page 31, Image 31

MARCH 19, 2021, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE B7
Nomadland
a meditation
on restlessness
By TJ REID
For the Keizertimes
I was a sophomore in high school
when The Great Recession hit, but if my
future grandchildren were to ever ask me
what it was like to live through such a his-
toric time, the only thing I could respond
with would be shrug. Not only was my
past ignorance and current lack of excit-
ing anecdotes a product of my age at the
time, but it was also a result of the fact that
my family and I were very, very lucky to
emerge from those turbulent times rela-
tively unscathed.
As I have extended further beyond the
youthful bubble of privilege, however, I
have discovered what you undoubtedly
already know: that to a great number of
people, those years were devastating.
This economic turmoil sets the stage for
Nomadland, a new Frances McDormand
fi lm about a woman who loses everything
and decides to cut the ties that bind her
down by learning how to live the life of a
nomad. Gorgeous, melancholic, and pow-
erful, Nomadland is a slowly paced, light-
on-plot character study that speaks to the
restlessness in all of us.
The acting is wonderfully and ear-
nestly done, even if we were to somehow
set aside for the moment the Oscar, Emmy,
and Tony award winning force of nature
that is Frances
McDormand.
All
of
the
nomads save for
McDormand’s
character
Fern
and
David
Strathairn’s
character Dave
are
portrayed
by those who actually live the lifestyle
presented, and you would defi nitely be
excused if you mistook them for profes-
sional actors. I sometimes felt like I was
watching a documentary disguised as nar-
rative, which is a testament to the eff orts
of those behind the fi lm to make the expe-
rience feel as authentic as possible.
Another contributing factor to this feel-
ing is the plot which, like I said earlier, is
actually quite thin. Nomadland is not your
usual exposition-rising action-climax type
of story, but rather a personal journey fi lled
with self-refl ective moments and interac-
tions that build upon
a greater whole (all
the while accompa-
nied by a lovely yet
simple soundtrack).
Not everybody will
fi nd this meandering
type of story appeal-
ing or compelling;
people come, people
go, interactions happen and McDormand’s
character moves on before repeating the
whole thing again. But isn’t that how life
is? Just blew your mind, didn’t I?
Something else that struck me is the
eff ortless balance this movie maintains
Review
Salem Cinema
opens for
in-person shows
Salem Cinema is now re-open for in-person screenings.
Tickets must be purchased online and seats will be socially dis-
tanced. Masks or face coverings are required at all times. Virtual
screenings are still available and can be purchased online.
Hand sanitizing stations were installed throughout the building
for anyone to use. The amount of people allowed in the bathrooms
will be limited.
The independent movie theater is also off ering virtual screen-
ings. Once purchased, the movie can be watched on any electronic
device or TV. The FAQ page on their website has information on
how to set up and rent movies.
Virtual viewing choices include a number of independent fi lms
and a large selection of documentaries.
For more information, go to salemcinema.com
between beauty and hardship. There is not
a single malicious character in the entire
fi lm, and the nomadic society is one of
community and acceptance. But it is also
a road full of loneliness and trials, which
results in a satisfying mixture of themes.
Nomadland trusts the audience to under-
stand these themes on their own with-
out beating them over the head, which is
something I appreciate. Nowhere is this
trust more apparent than in McDormand’s
performance; Fern is by no means the type
of character who would go out of the way
to explain to a stranger what she’s feeling,
instead allowing her face to do the work.
If you are one who can appreciate fi lm
as art, Nomadland will be a gratifying
experience. Viewers might even discover
some insights on the journey of life and
how hardship can lead to enlightenment.
At the very least it will make you want to
go camping, which is cool too.
Nomadland is now available on Hulu.
Tune in to First Citizen
awards March 20
The Keizer Chamber of Commerce will
broadcast its annual First Citizen’s Banquet
Saturday, March 20.
Awards are presented for First Citizen,
Service to Education and Merchant of the Year.
The ceremony is going online this year to
ensure safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Anyone is welcome to watch the ceremony
for free on the Keizer Chamber of Commerce
Facebook page.
The First Citizen Award is given to recipi-
ents that exemplifi ed the City of Keizer’s motto
of Pride, Sprit, and Volunteerism within their
work, volunteerism, or activism for the commu-
nity. Service to Education Award is given to a
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LEADER
Keizer area administrator, teacher or volunteer.
Merchant of the Year Award is given to an indi-
vidual and/or business that did the most in the
past year for the Keizer business community.
…in Keizer news
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