A comment from 27th May
I think it would be helpful if people went and saw the film "Nomadland". People bought houses when they were affordable for people on modest incomes, jobs were secure in a way they are no longer and though people say 'they paid their taxes' there was tax relief on mortgages. Described as a 'middle class perk' by Gordon Brown when he abolished it. The house buying generation of the 1970's and 1980's would be wise to remember this.
I read this comment and thought "slightly barbed? .......OK then, I'll go and see it"
So I took myself off to the newly re-furbished Regal in Stowmarket. Owned by the council it's been closed for over a year for a huge building project. And now the place we all used to hang-out every Saturday night in the late 60's has turned into a fantastic 3 screen theatre/cinema.
The cinematography and scenery are superb. It is beautifully produced and should certainly provoke quiet reflection on the many US citizens who have chosen to lead this way of life and who are largely forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI can see why it won all the awards. Go and see it on a big screen and support your cinemas!
I did go and see it at a cinema! that's what the review is all about!
DeleteIf you are instructing my other readers to go and see it, that's really not what my blog is for.
Always nice to pass on thoughts though be they positive or negative and no, I was not 'instructing' readers to go and see it. Of course I realised that you saw it on a big screen.
DeleteSame as I felt about it. I wrote it up but in fewer words! I liked the sugar beet factory!
ReplyDeleteIt looked blinkin' cold in the places she worked.
DeleteI'm hopeless at reviews which is why I end up copying whole bits from other places!
I am brief with my film reports these days, too much responsibility I found when films I didn't enjoy very much led to responses from people saying they wouldn't go on the basis of what I said. That wasn't what I wanted at all. I now make fairly tame remarks but readers do tend to cling on to every word whether you like it or not I take the view that if they want to read more about a film they will Google it, or with a film like Nomadland, probably know about it already anyway.
DeleteI imagine that you get a better impression of "the Big Country" on the big screen. I notice your phrase "Amazon have taken advantage of..." and find myself wondering what happens to the people on the campsite when the company isn't employing them? I'm increasingly concerned about people caught up in 'the gig economy' Thanks for the review. I'll check out the book. Not sure I fancy going to the cinema just yet!
ReplyDeleteThey know they are only working for a short period so set off elsewhere when their job is finished. In the film she finds work in many places - doubt it would be so easy here
DeleteSounds worth catching. Don't even know where our nearest cinema is, now we have relocated. (Checked: Brecon or Abergavenny. The one in town doesn't appear to be functioning any more).
ReplyDeleteWhere we used to live in Wales, there were lots of alternative dwellers - not travelling campervan type people, but what started off as hippy communities in the 70s - Teepee valley is the main one. Other folks living off-grid in low impact dwellings too, or like Brithdir Mawr, an off-grid community on what used to be a little Welsh farm. https://lammas.org.uk/en/links/
I was quite excited to go and see what they'd done to the Regal and pleased they managed to keep it open and in use for the future. Of course lots of people moaned the council should have spent the money elsewhere!
DeleteI've got it tucked away in Audible for listening to. Sort of tail end of the commune era maybe? Throwing off the responsibility of bricks and mortar is another way of looking at it, shame we can't do it in this country. ;)
ReplyDeleteThe film does not seen to be on at either of our local cinemas but I'm interesting in reading the book, might download it onto my Kindle.
ReplyDeleteThere are loads of vids on yoootooob made by and featuring folk who are living this lifestyle. Also a few previews of the film, book, and interviews with the author.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that review, I wondered why everyone was talking about it. Like Thrifty I watch lots of videos about vanlife dwelling on yoootooob. It's a lifestyle which fascinates me, being an ex nomad in a lorry. I quite like the idea of being able to move around, but what would I do with the cats. I am not keen on sitting in a cinema. Never did before all this mess, so I probably won't start now.
ReplyDeleteAs I don't live near a cinema, and with the pandemic even if I did I wouldn't be going in, I'll have to wait until it comes on telly. However, you've encouraged me to watch it when I can, and Frances McDormand is one of my favourite actresses.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the film as yet but will catch up with it eventually. I have the book on hold at the library but it will be a bit of a wait as the film has drummed up a lot of interest in the book once again.
ReplyDeleteI do watch the occasional Youtube video about people who live this lifestyle and some really do enjoy it while others seem to have been forced into it and it doesn't sit quite so comfortably. Since so many are into their later years I do wonder what they will do if they become infirm or have a longterm illness.
Thank you for your review.
Interesting!
ReplyDeleteI’ve ordered a copy of the book now after reading your post.
Thanks for the review Sue - don't expect I shall ever see the film but have read a lot about it.
ReplyDeleteI'll make a note of that - it hasn't got to us yet. Nomadic living is by its nature precarious, and I understand that people can fall through the healthcare and welfare systems because their address isn't registrable, so aging, infirmary or illness must be a worry.
ReplyDeleteI've read the book and not seen the film. It's good you have it on reserve; I think you'll find it significantly different from the film. I'll be anxious to hear when you do read it.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I have read the book but not seen the film. I thought the book was very thought provoking and challenging: certainly a very long way from the "land of endless opportunity" America wants the rest of the world believe it is.
DeleteWow I haven't been to see a film in forever.
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting. There's been lots of publicity regarding the film. I might see it when it comes out on one of the streaming services.
It seems as lifetime ago since I was at the cinema, I definitely want to go and see this one if I can
ReplyDelete