Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

Biopics usually attempt to cover either the generation of an artist, an attempt at capturing their greatest hits, or a pivotal moment in their career. At the time Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere begins, Bruce Springsteen (Jeremy Allen White) is already riding high fresh off a tour and his first #1 single. Returning home, while from time to time giving us glimpses of his childhood, the film focuses on Springsteen working on the songs which would make up his next two albums while dealing with ghosts from his past and beginning a burgeoning romance he's not ready for.

The film succeeds largely on the performance of Jeremy Allen White capturing Springsteen at his most vulnerable having garnered celebrity and not yet being ready for the superstardom which awaited him. The film doesn't shy away from making the character unsure, flawed, and deeply human while struggling with what comes next.

While isolated in the New Jersey suburb Colts Neck, Springsteen would compose both the darkly personal songs which would become the critically acclaimed Nebraska and the hits of Born in the U.S.A. which would turn him into a worldwide superstar. Grappling with depression, fears, and insecurities, and his complicated relationship with his father (Stephen Graham) which his return home brings to the forefront of his mind, we see our lead work through much of his undiscussed issues, in not always the most healthy of ways, with his music.

We also get Jeremy Strong as Springsteen's longtime friend and music producer who goes to bat for his friend even when he's not sure what Springsteen is after, David Krumholtz as your typical studio exec, Paul Walter Hauser as a friend and music engineer who helps Springsteen find the sound he's looking for, and Odessa Young as the love interest who captures Springsteen's eye but not enough of his heart to tear him away from his music or break through his insecurities.

Inspired by Warren Zanes' book, the choice of Nebraska is likely the juiciest part of Springsteen's career. The music is terrific, highlighted by Springsteen and the E Street Band recording "Born in the U.S.A." in the studio. And although I could have done with a few less flashbacks to his childhood, the film gives us bits and pieces of songwriting and recording process as well as live performance and a strong character study of an artist chasing something they can't quite put into words, let alone fully explain, for reasons they may not even completely understand.

• Title: Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
• IMDb: link