Later this year (should movie theaters be open), Chloé Zhao will become the latest in a growing line of Marvel directors as her cosmic epic Eternals finally rolls out. However, there's a good chance that won't even be her best film of the year. While Nomadland is technically a 2020 release, it's debuting on Hulu and in theaters this year, meaning it will reach a greater audience now. Nomadland and Eternals couldn't feel farther apart, yet if the latter turns out with even half as much heart as the former, it will be a success. Zhao, along with leading actress Frances McDormand, has crafted something truly impressive with this film, which is based on Jessica Bruder's non-fiction novel of the same name. Nomadland might tell an unconventional story, but thanks to Zhao's careful hand and McDormand's performance, it will resonate with all audiences.
Following the economic collapse of her small company town in Nevada, as well as the loss of her husband, Fern (McDormand) packs her dwindling belongings into a van and takes to the road. Adopting a nomadic lifestyle, Fern travels from state to state depending on the seasons (and work opportunities). It isn't an easy path, but Fern soon finds companionship among her fellow nomads, like the welcoming Linda (Linda May, essentially portraying herself) and earnest David (David Strathairn). Fern has lost virtually everything, but she's found a new community in the aftermath.
In terms of a traditional plot, Nomadland doesn't have much to speak of. Instead, Zhao's script adopts a slice of life format where audiences move with Fern through every day beats; they watch her clean out the van (playfully named Vanguard), take on odd jobs, and walk through the various nomadic settlements she ends up in. More than anything, Nomadland actually feels like a documentary. That qualifier might make it sound difficult to become engrossed in Fern's journey, but the opposite is true. Viewers are with her every step of the way, and so each moment in her life somehow feels deeply personal. Even something small, like the breaking of some plates, hits hard as though the person watching was Fern herself.
This is both because of Zhao's gentle direction and McDormand's deeply authentic performance. McDormand's talent cannot be denied at this point; she stands as one of the best actresses of her generation, and Nomadland could very well net her a third Oscar. With just the smallest of gestures, she perfectly conveys everything Fern's feeling, whether it be sadness over leaving her late husband's jacket in a storage locker or joy over realizing she's found her people. She doesn't even have to say anything, because her facial expressions do all the work. In fact, McDormand's performance doesn't even feel like a performance at all, but an extension of McDormand herself. This lends an extra level of authenticity to Nomadland that only enriches the proceedings.
Though this is McDormand's show, the supporting players who appear throughout Fern's story leave their mark. Strathairn is sweetly cautious when it comes to David's approaches toward Fern, and real life nomads Linda May and Swankie give Nomadland a touch of humor and heart. Joshua James Richards' camerawork makes good use of the sprawling landscapes Fern travels through, and Ludovico Einaudi's score swells at the right moments to underscore those landscapes. In lesser hands, Nomadland's vignette-like format might feel disjointed, but Zhao weaves it all together in a compelling yarn. There isn't a thread out of place here.
At this point, it could feel like the praise for Nomadland is being overstated. However, when watching, it's hard to deny that something special is happening onscreen. The quieter, sparser approach might not seem appealing to everyone, but there's something universal about Fern's tale that leaves an impact on viewers. Zhao's direction, coupled with McDormand's impressive work, has led to a necessary movie about finding the joys in the little things, healing after devastating hurts, and, above all else, human connection. Right now, those messages are more vital than ever. And yet, Nomadland just might stand the test of time.
Nomadland is now streaming on Hulu and playing in theaters. It is 108 minutes long and rated R for some full nudity.
