Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere

 

"These new songs, they're the only thing making sense to me right now."

Intimate, personal and poignant, Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, paints a sensitive portrait of “The Boss” thanks to Jeremy Allen White’s approach to the singers inner turmoil amidst the cathartic recording of his iconic 1982 album Nebraska. 

Discussion Points:

In a landscape of ever increasing music biopics, it’s refreshing when a new one comes along that isn’t just the cliched womb-to-tomb Wikipedia article come to life. Director Scott Cooper has wisely decided for this Bruce Springsteen biopic, to focus on the song writing and recording process of “The Boss”’s 1982 album Nebraska, a deeply cathartic artistic endeavour for the singer-songwriter as he processed his childhood and battled his depression. By choosing this section of the rockstar’s life, Cooper gets to show audiences Springsteen’s early years, both as an artist, and as a child, whilst avoiding the usual cliches in a musician’s origin story. Jeremy Allen White is a the special ingredient as he brings great inner depth to Bruce, whose battle with depression, steadily consumes him, as he struggles to fully express himself outside of his songs. Beautifully crafted, with rich cinematography, and strong sound design, I really enjoyed seeing the behind-the-scenes creative process of Springsteen and getting a glimpse inside his inner voice, and how he connects with those around him. Jeremy Strong, Stephen Graham and Paul Walter Hauser, all deliver great supporting performances opposite Allen White, who should firmly be in the Best Actor lineup this year for his tender yet energetic performance as he balances the quieter recording artist with the impressive showman that is Bruce Springsteen, The Boss.