Nomadland is a film directed by Chloe Zhao that was released on February 19, 2021. The movie is based on the non-fiction book titled Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century by Jessica Bruder. Frances McDormand plays the lead role as Fern, a middle-aged woman who decides to lead a nomadic life after her husband’s death and the closure of her hometown. The movie tells the story of Fern’s pain, struggles, and knowledge she gains while traveling from place to place and living the life of a nomad. In this article, we will be providing you a review of the movie and its synopsis.
Synopsis
After the death of her husband and the closure of the company she works for, Fern sells all her belongings and purchases a van. She decides to become a nomad and find a job that allows her to work part-time. Fern gets a seasonal job at Amazon and meets some fellow nomads. She is then invited by Linda May to attend a nomadic meeting in the Arizona desert, an initiative proposed by Bob Wells. Initially, Fern declines and tries to sustain herself by finding a different job, which is not easy. But when the temperature dropped, Fern decided to go to the nomad community meeting.
At the meeting, Fern learns some basic skills that she needs to survive as a nomad and shares her experiences with her fellow companions. After the meeting, all the participants continue their journey, and the desert becomes empty, leaving her and Swankie, a middle-aged woman with cancer, alone. Swankie teaches Fern the importance of having sufficient preparation to live as a nomad, including carrying a spare tire. Shortly afterward, Swankie continued her journey. Fern then worked as a campsite attendant with Linda May in Badlands National Park and meets Dave again after they first met in Arizona.
Dave is hospitalized because of diverticulitis and must undergo an operation. Both of them then worked at a restaurant in South Dakota. One night, Dave’s son came to tell him that he would soon have a grandchild and asked him to come back home. Initially, Dave was skeptical, but Fern managed to persuade him. Fern then worked at the sugar beet processing plant, but her van broke down and needed repairs. Not having enough money, she contacted her sister in California, which made her visit there. Although her sister asked Fern to stay, she declined and left after obtaining a loan to repair her van.
Fern then visited Dave, who was ecstatic because of the arrival of his grandchild. Fern was disappointed with Dave’s decision to stay at home with his family, but she eventually understood it. Dave’s family asked her to stay with them, which Fern agreed, but it only lasted for a few days before she decided to leave. After briefly enjoying the seaside view, Fern returned to Amazon and attended the nomad meeting in Arizona. Unfortunately, the mournful news of Swankie’s death greeted them. After talking to Bob Wells about her life after her husband’s death and her son’s suicide, Fern gained enlightenment and embarked on a journey back to Empire. After disposing of the remaining belongings she owned in the garage, Fern explored the ghost town by visiting the former factory where she used to work and the house she used to live in with her family. After that, Fern leaves the town and embarks on her next journey.
Keindahan Bahasa Gambar yang Puitis
The first thing that mesmerizes us in this movie is its beautiful cinematography. Joshua James Richards, who is also the husband of director Chloe Zhao, magnificently portrays the natural beauty of the various areas that Fern travels to. He knows exactly when to shoot the perfect sunset or sunrise, and at times, leaves us speechless with the beauty of the vast blue sky above the ocean horizon. Even the most poetic words might not convey the essence of this scene, but the viewers can just sit silently and appreciate the grandeur of nature.
Conclusion
Nomadland beautifully portrays Fern’s nomadic journey, and how she learned life lessons from other nomads along the way. It shows that even in the darkest moment of our lives, we can always start afresh and gain new perspectives by embracing diversity. The movie encourages us to appreciate the gifts of life and look beyond our immediate circumstances. With its captivating storytelling, insightful commentary on society, and natural beauty on display, Nomadland is a must-see film that will continue to inspire and move its audience for years to come.
