Springsteen: delivers me no interest.
It does bring into question if making a biopic was worth it?
The tired trend of biopics at last fizzling out of Hollywood release slates does not spare us from Scott Cooper’s newest release delving into the early childhood of Bruce Springsteen and the creative process of Nebraska.
Stephen Graham is the standout performance, the actor delivering something worthy of evoking emotion from an audience. While Jeremy Allen White showcases what he does best: Jeremy Allen White. We spend just under two hours with White as Springsteen and while the story should be allowing for an authentic and vulnerable connection to Springsteen’s life battling depression and burnout it feels as though, we are trying to watch this unfold through frosted glass. Glimpses of a great performance could be seen, the musical aspect impressive as he was possessed with Springsteen. However, overall felt very flat in many of the emotionally charged scenes. Many that White shared with Odessa Young were memorable due to Young’s performance. Both Young and Graham were the attention grabbers where the film began to drag. I think it is perfectly reasonable to say that if the film holds award season traction Graham should be top of the list.
Jeremy Strong’s performance as Jon Landau remains the same emotionless expression and monotone voice throughout which makes you question if he was thrilled about Springsteen’s troubles or concerned, your guess is as good as mine.
It’s clear that Strong can deliver and connect an impressive and meaningful performance to a real figure as seen in last year’s Apprentice (2024). However, this time Strong suffered a 2-dimensional performance in this case, which unfortunately led to waning interest in his featured scenes.
While the film is not overly offensive. The direction is respectable and the choice to incorporate black and white for flashbacks could’ve come across predictable or cliche it fit the tone of the film well. As a visually pleasing the film is, it’s heartbreaking to see the script be its downfall. It allowed a look into Springsteen’s life that could be sourced via a surface researched article. It leaves you wanting to know more, see more, hear more. Going into Deliver Me From Nowhere knowing next to nothing about Springsteen you will leave the theatre knowing near as little. It is not an insightful authentic look into the rock stars life at that time but more a hazed retelling. There is a lot that feels as though it has been kept private. Many scenes relying on Springsteen interacting with others. It would’ve been interesting to see more of those quiet moments alone such as the moments in his house that we briefly touched on. If there are quieter moments in this part of his life that Springsteen rightfully didn’t want the film to explore deeper it does bring into question if making a biopic was worth it?
Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios
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