Omaha
Road movie about a father who suddenly crams his two children and a golden retriever into his rickety car and sets off on a trip through the Midwest. A great adventure for the children, until they realise the reason for the journey.
On the morning they are evicted from their home, a widower sets off in his ramshackle car with his two children, Ella and Charlie, and their dog Rex. Emily is nine and clever for her age; the cheerful Charlie is six. They are going on a journey, but the children have no idea why or where they are going.
The silent father is, on the one hand, deeply saddened by the loss of his wife, but on the other hand, he does his best to ensure his children have a good time. Although they share many enjoyable moments together, a sense of unease gradually grows, particularly in Ella. It doesn’t help that the father keeps not only the purpose of the journey a secret, but also the destination.
Eventually, he tells them they are going to Nebraska. The fact that this location doesn’t ring a bell – no ‘Oh, that’s where Mummy came from!’ or ‘That’s where Grandma and Grandad live!’ – gives pause for thought.
Omaha is carried by the fantastic performances of the three main characters. John Magaro’s impressive and vulnerable acting and the realistic relationship between the children make this road movie a moving, deeply emotional journey.
Written by B.W.