2020 — Nomadland
2020 produced a slew of great films. Films such as Minari, Da 5 Bloods, Mank, The Father, Judas and The Black Messiah, Beanpole, Sound of Metal, First Cow and Lover’s Rock were all splendid and worthy of this honor. However, Nomadland stands above the rest. The iconic Frances McDormand stars as Fern — a widow who travels around the United States in a van following the economic collapse of her hometown. Jobless following the closure of the USG plant, Fern sells a ton of her belongings and takes off on a journey (in a van) to find a new job.
Chloe Zhao’s film painfully captures the idea of the failure of the American dream. McDormand’s performance is arguably the best of her career — which is saying a lot considering she has won the Oscar for Best Actress three times (Fargo, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and Nomadland). The Academy had a positive opinion of the film, as well. In addition to McDormand winning Best Actress, Zhao claimed the Oscar for Best Director and the film was awarded Best Picture.
Image Source: Variety