Paul Gibby

This is a sad movie, but just what America needs at this point in our culture's development IMHO. Fern's story reflects the lives and situations of many -- job and husband's death pull the rug out from under her life situation. She has no kids, no income, the future is wide open -- with no financial or emotional ties, except for her deceased husband. With a face and internal toughness reminiscent of Steve McQueen, Frances McDormand launches into the nomad life, working odd jobs -- an Amazon factory, a drug store (Walls), RV lot hostess. She's like a middle-aged woman cowboy. I appreciated that she didn't pickup the stray dog on her journey. That little bit showed this wasn't going to be a sappy film. It is poignant to see her play a few notes on a would-be paramour's home piano. She fails to conjure the magic she heard and saw as Dave and his son played the night before. She runs out to sleep in her van, named Vanguard. This settling down wasn't for her. Her younger sister praises Fern for being brave and honest. And Fern finally goes back to her old town, Empire, and walks through to see the backyard view that she treasured the most -- a long empty view across a desert to the mountains, nothing in the way. Then she's on her way again. She is kind and stoic. Perhaps too stoic. In the end I had no feeling that she would find happiness. But she would definitely continue on the adventure of her life. Scenes of the other nomads (all real nomads, apparently) are touching for their genuineness. I loved the idea they had of never saying goodbye -- "I'll see you down the road" (actually happens with one young nomad). I do wonder that Fern never faced real danger, or dangerous people. Often there are people who can't afford medications, and thus have untreated mental illness, who are on the streets. I don't really know (live in a house -- currently). Great acting. Well-told story. Thanks Ms. Zhao, crew and cast. [edit:] Why I said America needs this movie: IMHO the culture of the cowboy/rambler/loner doing their own independent thing is a no-go. We need communities that care. Fern is kind, but what good is it to have all those great experiences if you can't share them with someone. Nuff said.