In Chris Turner’s fantastic book Planet Simpson, he notes one reason we all desire to be celebrities is for the respect and adulation that comes with the status of being famous, that feeling of being in a higher position than our fellow man. For Woody Grant, the main character of Nebraska, he certainly wouldn’t mind some respect, especially if it came with the million dollars he just won in the mail.

Now, anyone can see that such a proclamation is a scam, no one more than his son David (Will Forte). But Woody (Bruce Dern) is determined to make the trek from Billings, Montana to Nebraska to get his cash prize. Against his mom’s (June Squibb) wishes, David takes his dad on the major journey to get the money, but not before stopping in his dad’s old hometown, where Woody Grant’s newfound status as a millionare attracts some attention.

Nebraska is like a gentle breeze; it comes and goes in a flash, but it’s a lot of fun while it’s occurring. Some stellar acting from the cast is where the film gets it’s status elevated, especially from Forte and Dern, who make up much of the film’s screentime. Forte shows restraint in his role, where he constantly just tries to do the right thing for his dad despite his father never being the easiest person to get along with. Dern makes sure the cantankerous personality of Woody Grant shines through two specific areas; dialogue and physical appearance.

These might seem like two silly and obvious categories for which an actor can excel, but Dern actually takes unique advantage of both. In terms of dialogue, Dern seems to have been inspired by Ryan Gosling in Drive, in that he doesn’t actually say too much. As his wife in the film points out multiple times, Woody Grant exists in his own little world most of the time and that kind of isolation makes his interactions with actual people minimal to none, much to the chagrin of his son. Meanwhile, the filmmakers make sure Woody always looks disheveled, with hair always sticking up, clothes scuffed and worn; it gives him life and personality that makes the character that much stronger.

Along with giving Woody Grant more subtle ways of defining himself, the small town in which the film is set is also a riveting part. I’ve always been entranced by small towns due to how much character is stuck in every building, every corner, every person, and Nebraska makes full use of it. Every place, whether it’s his childhood home or an old bar he used to visit, has some meaning to Woody Grant, and before he obtains his “winnings”, it’s fascinating for viewers, him and his son to look back at where he came from. Truth be told, much of the rest of the film feels a bit ordinary at times, especially time spent with some of Woody’s extended family, who all feel like caricatures. However, supporting actors June Squibb and Stacy Keach give it their all in their roles, and some of the directing and screenwriting in the film is top notch. But it’s Bruce Dern and Will Forte who really make Nebraska a memorable flick.