Cinematic Road Trip: Nebraska

John Ur returns for this week's edition of Cinematic Road Trip. Today's stop: Nebraska.

Every time I begin one of these columns, I chant the name of the state that I mentally try to inhabit and see if it fits a song like “Ooooooooklahoma.” Well Nebraska does not, as far as I know, serve as the title of any popular song, but the Counting Crows once sang of, “Omaha, somewhere in middle America, get right to the heart of matters. It’s the heart that matters more.” As in: Somewhere in middle America, believe it or not, there are actual people living out their lives.

This may come as a surprise to people fixated on the East and West Coasts, but not to Alexander Payne. Over the past decade, Payne has become a prominent writer-director on the backs of some strong movies—most recently, Sideways, which won him (and his writing partner, Jim Taylor) the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. Payne grew up around Omaha but is not the first famous Hollywood figure to sprout from the city among the cornfields. He follows native Omahans Henry Fonda, Marlon Brando, Fred Astaire, and Nick Nolte, all of whom also made their way to Tinseltown.

Payne must maintain a fondness for his home state. He’s adapted two novels set in east coast states to be shot around Omaha. In Election, Reese Witherspoon plays an over-achieving high school student running for Student Council President of Carver High School. Payne shot the high school scenes at Papillion-La Vista High School in Papillion, Nebraska, which is in the suburbs ten miles southwest of Omaha. (The original novel by Tom Perrotta is set in New Jersey.)

Although less critically acclaimed than Election, About Schmidt provides a greater view of the rest of Nebraska. In this film, Payne relocates Louis Begley’s novel from Long Island to Omaha and casts Jack Nicholson as Warren Schmidt, a retired assistant vice president for Woodmen of the World Insurance Agency. This is an actual company located on Farnam Street in Omaha.

After Schmidt retires, he and his wife plan to drive around in their brand new Winnebago. Warren is left alone when his wife suddenly dies, so he decides to take the Winnebago out to Denver, where his daughter will soon be getting married. On his way, he passes through the plains of Nebraska, with it's many farms and quirky roadside icons like the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument in Kearney and the Pioneer Village in Minden.

After About Schmidt came out, Nebraskans saw a spike in tourism at the movie sites. But I have to wonder how well the film was received by University of Nebraska alums. You see, Payne made an interesting decision to have Warren visit his old alma mater, Kansas University, in the film. Some Cornhuskers may be irked by seeing their archrival in a truly Nebraskan movie. But then again, KU alums may be even more displeased to know that the scenes at the “University” were actually shot at the University of Nebraska! And Jayhawk fans thought that Cornhuskers could only brag about inventing KoolAid.

Read More: Find other movies shot in Nebraska at the Nebraska Film Office’s site. Previously on CRT: The Dakotas, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.

Photos: Kristen Coleman and Leslie Estelle

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Comments

[Katie]

hmmm....Farnam St. in Nebraska? I grew up on a Farnam St. in Nebraska's more exotic state to the east. Also, my favorite line in About Schmidt is ""That degree from Drake has to be worth something." It was even on our college's senior t-shirts, though I unfortunately neglected to purchase one...

[Suz]

I wish I had read your post BEFORE we went through Nebraska. My hubby and I drove through on our way to Chicago several years ago and we couldn't figure out anything to stop and do while we were there. I think we ended up doing some bizare museum just to give us a chance to get out of the car. It'd be interesting to go back with more of a purpose to the traveling.

[pam]

Springsteen's Nebraska would make a fine soundtrack for a trip across Nebraska. One could do audio rather than cinematic...

[Kraig]

Scenic Nebraska? Must have missed that when I went through there all those times. I spent a week in Lincoln one night. It was awful.

And Katie, while not a Drake grad, I'm a former Drake employee. Small Internet.

[John Ur]

Pam - Good on you for mentioning Springsteen. He could provide a cross-country soundtrack almost singlehandedly.

And anyone else who can provide scenic stops in Nebraska (or other midwest states) please let us know!

[Devin Hunter]

My Thoughts on New Victorian Suites

I have recently stayed at New Victorian Suites in Lincoln Nebraska, and wanted to share with you guys my experience.

I usually don't do this type of thing, but they really surprised me in terms of the quality of service. The rooms were exceptionally clean, the beds and furniture were brand new just like you would find in high end hotels. And most importantly, they responded quickly with any sort of request.

If you're around Lincoln Nebraska any time son, consider New Victorian Suites.

Devin Hunter

[Devin Hunter]

My Thoughts on New Victorian Suites

I have recently stayed at New Victorian Suites in Lincoln Nebraska, and wanted to share with you guys my experience.

I usually don't do this type of thing, but they really surprised me in terms of the quality of service. The rooms were exceptionally clean, the beds and furniture were brand new just like you would find in high end hotels. And most importantly, they responded quickly with any sort of request.

If you're around Lincoln Nebraska any time son, consider New Victorian Suites.

Devin Hunter