MovieChat Forums > Nebraska (2014) Discussion > Appeals More to Those That Can Relate

Appeals More to Those That Can Relate


I'm noticing a trend on these boards in which the city dwellers and international crowds don't appreciate this movie while folks that grew up in rural America liked the film. For me, the elderly characters made this movie hilarious because there are people I've known from my hometown that have the same demeanor and sense of humor. Life isn't necessarily boring in small towns. I think you have more time to ponder and appreciate the simpler things in life. It was a beautiful film that brought back memories of my hometown and my dearly departed elderly family. 8/10

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I think it's a mistake to believe that only people from a location or even specific situation portrayed in a movie (or any other form of artistic expression, book, play, painting, photograph, etc) can relate to it or enjoy it or connect to it, and that those who are not, cannot.

That's a very limited view. Any time a human situation is conveyed - and there are many types of human situation in this movie - any other human can relate. You don't have to be from the physical location, or do a road trip, you don't even really have to know people exactly like the people portrayed. The specifics are not what matters.

You only have to know the emotions involved - if you've ever been frustrated with someone's ways, if you've ever felt unfulfilled with some aspect of your life or relationships or situation, if you've ever felt false hope, ever felt bullied by someone, been in a dead end job, had family members that are troublesome in some way, have aging parents to worry about, or be a parent yourself - there are lots of ways in which someone can find resonance in this story or any other story told.

Titanic was one of the most successful movies of all time, but has everyone who enjoyed it been a survivor from a fatal ocean liner voyage themselves, lol? Or lived in Edwardian times? People liked the film and connected to it for the emotional journey of human characters.

If every movie was only able to be liked by and appeal to people from exactly that physical location or even that sub-culture, no movie would have wide enough appeal to even be successful or popular.

City dweller here who has never been in the places in this movie, but thoroughly enjoyed the movie for the things I relate to about being a human being.

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