[Quick Summary: Fern (60s) learns to survive in her first year living out of her van.]
Fern is a college graduate, self-sufficient, kind, but stand-offish. She lost her beloved, well-liked husband a year ago, and packed up everything into a van.
I got the sense that he was the more sociable one, the one who connected her to the world. I don't think she realizes how she's emotionally adrift or who she is now.
One of the strongest thing about this script is how you experience Fern's emotional arc with the passage of time.
Sometimes months will pass and Fern is the exact same. Sometimes a day will pass and she has grown enormously (see below).
In the scenes below:
- Fern met fellow nomad Dave on the road and they got along well. However, his son James had a baby and wanted Dave to come home. Dave invited Fern to come, but she refused.
- Fern has now finally made it to Dave's house.
- Notice in the flow of visuals shows us how she feels, but the audience must participate to give it meaning: sharp longing for things that anchor --> family is Dave's anchor, what is hers? --> she realizes this is not her --> she leaves.
INT. DAVE'S HOUSE - STAIRS - LATER
Fern carries her laundry down the stairs. She hears music and looks into the study --
Dave and James are playing the piano together. A simple melody in beautiful synchronicity -- something father and son had played together many times in the past.
Fern watches them. She is moved at first, smiling gently. Then, something restless stirs inside of her. She suddenly feels a little short of breath.
INT. DAVE'S HOUSE - GUEST ROOM - THAT NIGHT
Fern lies in bed, unable to sleep. She stares at the ceiling. It feels too tall.
She gets up and walks out of the dark room.
EXT. DAVE'S HOUSE - NIGHT
Fern walks out of the house and runs to Vanguard.
She climbs in, closes the door and lies under the covers.
She touches the ceiling. A moment. She closes her eyes.
EXT. DAVE'S HOUSE - NEXT MORNING
Dark clouds on the horizon. A storm is approaching.
Fern stands outside Vanguard and smokes a cigarette.
She looks up at Dave's house. It's beautiful and tranquil.
INT. DAVE'S HOUSE - LIVING/DINING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Everyone is still asleep. The house is quiet.
Fern looks at the family photos of different generations on the wall. She recognizes a younger Dave with an infant James.
She sits down at the empty dining room table and looks around. Silence.
A moment passes, Fern gets up, quietly straightens the wooden chair and walks away.
EXT. ROAD IN TOWN - SAME MORNING
Large rain drops on windshield.
Fern drives through the quiet town lashed with wind and rain.
WHAT I'VE LEARNED: I was impressed how the images told the story. I could see Fern thinking, "Is it easier to stay on the outside side than go in and attempt messy, emotional relationships?"
Nomadland (2020)(1/12/19 draft)
by Chloe Zhao
Based on the book by Jessica Bruder
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