‘Omaha’ Review: John Magaro Is Heartbreaking in Slender but Affecting Drama About Grief and Fatherhood

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It’s truly satisfying to witness John Magaro taking the lead in his own movie. Although he played one part of a love triangle in “Past Lives,” shared the main roles in “September 5” and “First Cow,” and stood out in an ensemble cast in “Showing Up,” it’s rare that this underrated actor gets to shoulder a film as significantly as he does in “Omaha.” Written by Robert Machoian, who also directed the acclaimed “The Killing of Two Lovers,” Cole Webley’s first feature aims for a similar raw, unadorned quality in its story about a grief-stricken father making tough decisions.

Overly kind to a fault, the movie’s narrative for most part feels as light as many films from Sundance, a sensation reinforced by the soft music composed by Christopher Bear, previously of indie rock group Grizzly Bear, and the faint vocal tracks scattered throughout. The same sense of weightlessness is evident in the way landscapes are portrayed, with emotions left unsaid resonating across Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats and the expansive areas bordering Interstate 80, largely devoid of life except for the slender silhouettes of wind turbines.

In the film, Webley doesn’t hasten to intensify its emotional impact, but as the narrative approaches its heart-wrenching climax, Magaro’s character, referred to simply as Dad, unleashes a wave of raw emotion. Prior to this moment, his performance had been remarkable for its deeply felt sorrow and the tense uncertainty etched on his face, making the release even more poignant.

Machoian’s script sets the stage for us to gradually understand the backstory, yet it becomes clear from the very beginning that this isn’t a leisurely journey. When Dad wakes up his 9-year-old daughter Ella (remarkable newcomer Molly Belle Wright) at an unusual hour and instructs her to prepare for a road trip, it’s evident this won’t be a fun excursion. In the back seat of their rundown car, Ella’s younger brother Charlie (Wyatt Earp) and their dog Rex are mostly unaware of the tension in the front. However, the wise-beyond-her-years Ella keenly notices her father’s evasive responses to her questions about their destination, which fails to alleviate her concerns.

It becomes apparent that the kids’ mother passed away following an illness, leaving their father to grapple with both family responsibilities and his own grief. He’s finding it tough to keep the family afloat financially while coping with his loss, often resorting to physically starting the car or going without meals himself. With limited resources such as cash and food stamps, the children are provided Lunchables, while their father goes without. His attire suggests he works in construction, but due to the 2008 financial crisis, job prospects have likely diminished significantly for him.

Despite his inner anxieties, he tries to maintain an optimistic demeanor and make the journey enjoyable for Ella, Charlie, and the kids. He sings along with them to “Mony Mony” by Tommy James & The Shondells on the car radio, and also purchases a kite as a surprise for when they reach the salt flats. Meanwhile, he makes frequent worried phone calls, largely unnoticed by the others.

Before Ella and Charlie experience a joyful spell of unrestrained liberty, a heartrending event occurs when Dad takes a tough stance, saying, “It’s for the best.” Though we sense the father’s sadness in solitary moments, it catches the children off guard. As the journey progresses, it becomes evident where they are headed when they reach their destination, which Ella discovers is Nebraska. However, this doesn’t diminish the powerful effect of the outcome.

Webley, who has experience in creating short films and commercials, is not afraid to tackle stories that are deeply emotional, mirroring a harsh truth often faced by numerous low-income families across the United States.

However, the filmmakers lighten the atmosphere before the climax by including a charming sequence at the Omaha Zoo. This idea originates when a kind woman in line at a gas station suggests it to Ella. Full of joy, Ella and Charlie dash from one animal enclosure to another, forgetting their worries for a worry-free afternoon. Even Dad seems more relaxed, his smiles hinting that his troubled thoughts have momentarily vanished.

As I continued watching, everything that unfolded felt like an emotional tornado, mirrored on the distressed, bewildered faces of the children. In those moments, Magaro powerfully embodied the crushing despair of his character, striking me like a heavy blow.

Despite the drama portraying an extreme scenario that many parents may find hard to fathom, it is presented with heartfelt empathy and care, as exemplified by Talia Balsam’s tender portrayal of a hospital nurse. However, this warmth is abruptly contrasted by on-screen text before the end credits that reduces the deeply personal and compassionate narrative into mere statistics. Nonetheless, Omaha still leaves a poignant impact.

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2025-01-24 01:55