Introduction
Bruce Springsteen, the renowned musician from Freehold, New Jersey, has recently joined the ranks of artists who have received cinematic treatments. In “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere,” Springsteen receives a fictionalized portrayal in a musical film about the creation of his legendary album, “Nebraska.”
Springsteen’s Place Among Fellow Cinematic Artists
Springsteen adds his name to a list of artists like Bob Dylan, Elton John, Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, Bob Marley, and Freddie Mercury who have recently received their own cinematic treatments in films such as “A Complete Unknown,” “Rocket Man,” “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” “Back in Black,” “One Love,” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
“Deliver Me From Nowhere” – Title and Origin
The title “Deliver Me From Nowhere” comes from the last line of Springsteen’s song “Open All Night.” Author Warren Zanes uses this as a starting point to unravel a creative turning point when Springsteen took a risky artistic direction. While this premise works well for a book, its cinematic execution leaves something to be desired.
The Film’s Cast and Setting
Directed by Scott Cooper, Jeremy Allen White portrays Springsteen in 1981. Known for his role as the anxious Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto in FX’s The Bear, White leaves the chef’s apron for the guitar and harmonica to convincingly embody Springsteen.
“Nebraska” Album Creation
“Nebraska” was recorded solo by Springsteen in a fourth-channel TEAC-144 console room in a small Colts Neck, New Jersey bedroom while the musician grappled with severe depression.
Released in September 1982, “Nebraska” is Springsteen’s most introspective work. The music is raw, with no additional arrangements or embellishments. It’s a grim and dark work inspired by the punk minimalism of Suicide, Springsteen’s personal traumas, serial killers like Charlie Starkweather, and the literature of Flannery O’Connor. This new direction marked a creative turning point and hinted at the path Springsteen would take for his upcoming album “Born in the U.S.A.”, where he questioned the winning mythology of American culture.
Film’s Strengths and Weaknesses
“Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” attempts to avoid the clichés of a conventional musician biopic and doesn’t aim to condense Springsteen’s life and work into two hours. However, director Scott Cooper sometimes resorts to trite dialogues and fictional characters to construct a traditional cinematic narrative.
Jeremy Allen White does an excellent job portraying Springsteen and reproducing the album’s songs. He also offers a poignant portrayal of an artist battling depression and a representation of mental health seldom seen in music-themed films.
The film meticulously represents recording techniques that might delight studio enthusiasts. It also captures the creative relationship between Springsteen and his manager Jon Landau (played by Jeremy Strong), who sought to preserve the integrity of Springsteen’s work in an album that wasn’t intended for commercial success. Unfortunately, the film requires viewers to do quite a bit of pre-film research to grasp its scattered ideas.
Accompanying Release – Nebraska ’82 Boxset
To coincide with the film’s release, a four-disc boxset titled “Nebraska ’82” was published, allowing listeners to explore the musical possibilities of what could have been that album.
- Includes the original album, a disc of outtakes with rare recordings and home sessions, “Electric Nebraska” – Springsteen’s attempts to recreate the album with the E Street Band that were ultimately discarded, an intimate live performance of the full album at the Count Basie Theatre in New Jersey, and a fourth disc with the newly remastered original album.
Film’s Identity Crisis
“Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere” suffers from an identity crisis similar to its protagonist. The Hollywood treatment doesn’t know whether it’s for obsessive fans, curious onlookers wanting to learn more about Springsteen’s life and work, or those simply looking for an excuse to hear his greatest hits on the big screen.
