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Aristotle noted

Posted by RGA (R) on May 31, 2021 at 22:25:52

In Reply to: Call me a Philistine but I didn't like it either posted by Jay Buridan on May 30, 2021 at 15:05:26:

The 6 elements of a Tragedy (a play or today a film)

And he noted that the 6 elements of a play had an order of importance.

1) Plot (The plot is composed of "clearly defined problems for characters to solve." Plot is to be differentiated from Story which is a chronological detailing of events that happened on and off stage. Events happening off stage are introduced through exposition (narrative dialogue). The playwright must create a plot that is both credible and astonishing).

2) Character (Characters provide the motivations (reasons) for the events of the plot. "Vivid characters" face and overcome "obstacles that we can recognize." They provide the vehicle for conflict.

3) Theme (The examination of "patterns of life" can be didactic or just a slice of life).

4) Language (Dramatic dialogue consists of two parts: narrative and dramatic

5) Rhythm (Mood - how all the elements come together)

6) Spectacle - Everything that is seen or heard on stage. Actors,sets, costumes, lights and sound. NOTE: All plays have spectacle—some emphasize spectacle more than others.

So once established we can arguably see where Nomadland falls down because it is bottom of the list heavy and week in the most important top three categories. Fern is the same at the end of the film as she was at the beginning - there is no real character arc or growth at all - it's well-acted but completely one-dimensional. There is no plot to move it along. She is just camping and we follow along and listen to stories from other people camping - there is no actual plot.

The theme fails as I noted because it's not clear what the theme is. Is it anti-consumerism, is it a commentary on an unjust American system that has no safety nets? If it is any of this it is unclear.

So it pretty much fails on the first three points.

The arthouse crowd tends to gravitate to the stuff that doesn't matter all that much = spectacle. Camera work and cinematography. Nomadland gives us some sunsets and land shots and "see this is the life not living in a city."

Maybe that intertwines with the theme. Perhaps the main takeaway is that we have all been duped to chase consumer goods and it is better to just buy a camper van and live smaller. I can appreciate the sentiment of this lifestyle but not so much as a movie. It probably would have been better served as an outright documentary on nomadic life.

The problem is there is no plot or character arc and no real theme. It's far too long. And the look of the film isn't special. It's not like you are looking at Lawrence of Arabia or the English Patient in terms of cinematography. So even on spectacle, it isn't exactly industry-shaking.

This review kind of sums it up "Nomadland travels to the land of nothing and leaves you with nothing to take away from it."

https://reeltalker.com/2021/04/18/nomadland-review-epic-snoozefest-and-endless-search-for-a-story-that-got-me-heated/

I actually liked it a bit more than the above would suggest but it's not a movie I'd really want to re-watch and I doubt it will be an oscar-winning film that anyone will be talking about in 10 years (or perhaps even next year).

Edits: 06/01/21

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