Since her unforgettable performance in Cohen brothers' movie Fargo, I knew Frances McDormand was something special. Since then, she played various roles and figures - but in all of them she played a very unique, strong, female characters. However, until today, she never played in what I would call a "gerontological movie". After watching Nomadland, I am still not sure if this is truly a gerontological movie - but it is important enough to be part of this blog.
Nomadland is a 2020 American drama film. The film was produced, and directed by Chloe Zhao. For me, it was on the border of a documentary film as there was no real "plot" or an evolving story with twists or turns. It could be simply described as "a year in the life of a modern American "nomad": a term which describes a new class of poor working-class people in the USA which are "houseless" (i.e. live in their cars/vans/trailers and travel the country in search of work, while moving from place to place, and from one temporary job to another).
The movie focuses on the life of an older woman, Fern - played by Frances McDormand - who loses her job after the factory which she worked for many years (along with her husband, who has recently died) - was shut down. As a result, she decides to move and live in a van, and travels the country searching for work. Along the way, she meets other people who live in similar conditions, and joins a group of nomads, who share ideology, friendship knowledge and skills for survival.
The movie is simply beautiful: it very softly and humanely describes the lives of a new class of people who for the most part have been invisible. Moreover, McDormand's performance is outstanding, reflecting the true complexity of the daily lives of nomads. She is also supported by real nomads - who play their real lives while allowing the viewers to share their feelings, experiences, and meaning of life.
But the real question is: is it a gerontological movie? The answer is not simple. Nomads are not only old, and "nomadity" is not an "old age" issue. However, and at least as mirrored in the movie - many of the nomad population are older adults. Moreover, one of the strengths of being old, is bringing one's life stories, life course, life experiences - joys, tragedies, losses, love, and much more - into ones' decisions about life choices in later life. In Nomadland, this is brought to the fore in the stories of real-life nomads – e.g. Linda May, Swankie, and Bob Wells - who are all "elderly", and their decision to adopt a nomadic lifestyle is (at least in part), the outcome of their old-age wisdom.
In sum - this heart touching, slow-moving, movie is beautiful to watch. Moreover, in my personal view, this is indeed (also) a gerontological movie - which can not only raise various fascinating questions and issues about the meaning of old age, but can also teach about wisdom and the emancipatory nature of being old.
USA
2020
Director: Chloe Zhao