With the recent proliferation of music biopics in recent years, I suppose it was only a matter of time before someone got round to making one about Bruce Springsteen. That someone is writer/director Scott Cooper who has adapted the 2023 book Deliver Me from Nowhere by Warren Zanes. It chronicles the conception of Springsteen’s 1982 album Nebraska and stars Jeremy Allen White as the famed singer.
I am not a massive fan of The Boss but I do recognise Nebraska as his best work so I was immediately interested in the conception of that album and I found the effect on his mental health fascinating. Whilst it is always difficult to separate performance from impersonation with such famous figures but White does a pretty good job and remains empathetic even when treating his girlfriend, Faye (Odessa Young) shabbily. Stephen Graham manages to mix menace and vulnerability, as only someone with his talent can, as Bruce’s Dad. Jeremy Strong excels as Jon, Springsteen’s patient and understanding manager/producer.
My enjoyment was a little marred by the sound quality provided by Cineworld which was fuzzy and distorted. However, I preferred this to the recent biopics on the like of Amy Winehouse, Bob Marley, Robbie Williams or Bob Dylan. It avoids most clichés and obvious story arcs.
strong>Rating: 7.5 out of 10