NOMADLAND

Frances McDormand, David Strathairn, Swankie, Linda May

With the Oscars delayed until the end of April, this has been the longest awards season ever, but one film has led the pack all the way: Chinese director Chloé Zhao’s heartcrushing fusion of documentary and great American road movie, which has gathered many gongs over the past few months. Zhao has an unusual signature style, mixing drama with candid observation, and has found her Hollywood match in the uncompromisingly authentic presence of Frances McDormand, playing a proud widow who, left destitute by the financial crisis, makes her van her home, and hits the road. McDormand is just our conduit, however, into a poetic, funny, humane portrait of America’s unrepresented nomads, playing themselves around the star’s quiet, generous performance. It’s one for the ages. 30 April (on Disney+)/17 May (in cinemas)