Bruce Springsteen fans have heaped praise on the Jeremy Allen White-led biopic, Deliver Me From Nowhere.
Fans of The Boss believe the film stands as a “sombre and intense emotional journey,” much like Nebraska, the album heavily featured in the adaptation. But not everyone was convinced by the film, as some suggested the film was “not flawless”, though it ultimately delivered on what it had set out to show. The adaptation of Springsteen‘s life also features Stephen Graham, Odessa Young, and Paul Walter Hauser. A fan of the film took to the r/BrurceSpringsteen subreddit and asked: “What did you all think of the film?” Fans were broadly positive on the film, though did point out a handful of flaws which, while not derailing the film entirely, did cause them a few problems.
A fan wrote: “Like Nebraska, the movie is a sombre and intense emotional journey. It’s slow, lacks any huge climax or payoff, but you understand exactly why it needs to be that way. Though I’d say in many ways this is a movie about depression more than it’s about Springsteen.
“As someone that struggles with depression, the film depicts it extraordinarily well to the point where at times it was uncomfortably accurate. The distancing from others, the isolation, lying in bed all day, and the bouts of frustration and rage that often boil over. Really emotional film for me.”
Another agreed, adding that the film could be an Academy Awards contender. They wrote: “The pace of the storytelling was incredibly slow because there wasn’t really a whole lot of story to tell, just a slow descent into depression/nervous breakdown.
“This wasn’t a movie with sex, drugs, and rock and roll. There was no antagonist in the traditional sense. It was just Bruce expressing his emotional state through his art. As a Bruce fan and someone dealing with ongoing mental health challenges I was very moved and loved it.
“I also can’t imagine rewatching it for a long, long time. Because of the revealing nature, the acting and the focus on Men’s mental health (a topic that gets very little notice) it ought to do very well at the Oscars.”
A third person wrote: “It’s great, it’s just that it’s being marketed as something it’s not – understandably really. It’s about depression; an artist who doesn’t really comprehend what it is they’re experiencing and turning to the creative process to work through it. It’s low-key, moody and understated just like the album it’s about.”
Others believed that while the portrayal of Springsteen was a strong one, the writing suffered from time to time. One person suggested: “Enjoyed it enough. Not flawless. Good performances. Some of the writing felt so-so at times. Still a bit confused if Jeremy Allen White was singing Born to Run and Born in the U.S.A. Seemed to be some blending going on.”
Another added: “Thought it was brave. I’d read his biography a few years ago so was aware of the depression and the relationship with his dad. Wasn’t sure what to expect and was apprehensive but I really enjoyed it. I agree that it was deeply personal. Think it will win a few Oscars.” A third simply wrote: “Loved it. Very emotional.”
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