The title Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere sets the tone for this film, which recounts musician Bruce Springsteen’s journey as he crafts his 1982 album Nebraska. Source: Australian Catholics.
In one sequence, where a car salesman says to Springsteen, “I know who you are”, Springsteen replies, “at least that’s one of us”.
According to Wikipedia: “Springsteen has released 21 studio albums spanning six decades; most of his albums feature the E Street Band, his backing band since 1972. Springsteen is a pioneer of heartland rock, combining commercially successful rock with poetic, socially conscious lyrics that reflect working class American life.”
And there is some Catholic background: “Springsteen attended the St Rose of Lima Catholic School in Freehold, where he was at odds with the nuns and rebelled against the strictures imposed on him, though some of his later music reflected a Catholic ethos and included Irish Catholic hymns with a rock music twist. In 2012, Springsteen said that it was his Catholic upbringing rather than his political ideology that most influenced his music. He said his faith gave him a “very active spiritual life” but joked that this “made it very difficult sexually” and added “once a Catholic, always a Catholic . . . I don’t participate in my religion, but I know somewhere . . . deep inside . . . I’m still on the team.”
This is a serious portrait and becomes more serious as it continues. There are black and white flashbacks to Springsteen’s childhood; a protective mother, a seriously alcoholic father, sometimes violent, demanding his son to be a man. Gaby Hoffmann plays his mother, Adele, while British actor Stephen Graham (significant this year for his contribution to the series Adolescence) is his father, Douglas. But, Springsteen has the opportunity for some reconciliation with his father.
In 1981-1982, Springsteen worked in his bedroom, moved by watching the film Badlands (1978) with Martin Sheen. It led to his reflections and a series of songs – acoustic guitar, with serious themes. At the same time, he composed what became something of an anthem, Born in the USA.
Springsteen is played effectively by White, award winner for his television series The Bear. Some have remarked that he does not look like Springsteen but, in his performance, he is able to communicate much of what drives the loner as well as the hyper-vigorous concert performances.
Review by Fr Peter Malone MSC, Jesuit Media.
Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere. Starring Jeremy Allen White, Jeremy Strong, Stephen Graham, Gaby Hoffmann, Odessa Young. Directed by Scott Cooper. 120 minutes. Rated M (Mental health themes, coarse language and a sex scene).
FULL REVIEW
Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere (Australian Catholics)
