Friday Film Review: Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
“Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere,” directed by Scott Cooper and based on Warren Zanes’ book, offers an intimate and raw depiction of Bruce Springsteen during a pivotal personal phase. The film focuses on a quieter period of emotional struggle and artistic renewal rather than his rise to stardom.
Setting and Story
The story is set in the early 1980s, following the huge success of “The River.” Exhausted by fame's pressures, Springsteen withdraws to a modest New Jersey rental. With only a four-track recorder and a mind full of unresolved memories, he begins creating the album “Nebraska,” shifting away from his previous grand anthems toward minimalistic and haunting narratives.
Performances
- Jeremy Allen White delivers a powerful portrayal of Springsteen, skillfully capturing the emotional weight of fame, doubt, and isolation. He performs all the vocals himself, a feat praised by Springsteen, who remarked he could not distinguish his voice from White’s on some tracks.
- Stephen Graham
Springsteen praised White’s singing, saying he couldn’t tell who was singing on some tracks.
Overall, the film reveals a personal and vulnerable Springsteen, focusing on transformation through hardship rather than fame.
Author's summary: The film reveals Bruce Springsteen’s deep personal and creative journey during a quiet but transformative period, highlighted by compelling performances and evocative storytelling.