Thoughts on "Nebraska" and the Decline of American Freedom

Wendy and I watched "Nebraska" last night, and it prompted a couple of reflections.

First, though it's nice of Hollywood to every once in awhile to notice the vast stretch of unexplored territory between the two coasts--especially small towns--it would be even more impressive if films on these hinterlands could treat their residents with more respect.  There are men who live outside of LA and NYC who are interested in more than how long it takes to drive from one place to another.

Second--my first point notwithstanding--I thought the film did a fine job of depicting the sort of perpetual childhood that so many aging adults (present company certainly included) become mired in.  Woody, the declining father, has certainly suffered.  We learn that his parents were strict, that the Korean War wounded him, and his life partner has been, well, challenging.  And Woody's peculiar quest is driven in part by a desire to somehow make good his many failings as a father.  But it also strikes me that his often-expressed desire "to be left the hell alone" well articulates what the American Dream and the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence have boiled down to for so many of us.