Nomadland are the rejects of hypocritical meritocracy

Nomadland, Chloé Zhao's movie based on the book of the same name written by American journalist Jessica Bruder, unfolds as if it were a documentary and raises some intriguing and topical questions: is there life after the ZIP is cancelled? And the most important: is it possible to live in a capitalist system without having property?

Fern, the protagonist of the story, played with rare sensitivity by Frances McDormand, contradicts all expectations and conventions. After her life is "cancelled" when the city of Empire ends (which existed due to a gypsum mine that closed), the widow keeps her belongings in a deposit and decides to leave the world in her van, the Vanguard.

Fern customizes the van with a bed, a small kitchen and a storage space with the memories of his "other life," such as his father's collection of dishes. Fern and Vanguard set off on the road, rejecting the "homeless" label but recognizing himself as houseless. Soon, they discover they are not alone and join a gigantic tribe that roams the country.

Fruits of a decadent new capitalist order, they're the rejects of a lamê meritocracy: old or almost, more or less middle class and others who, of his, only have their cars. They are unemployed, retired with ridiculous salaries, out of work and victims of the real estate bubble. Lives mortgaged to an ideal each day more distant.

Working exhaustive journeys through Amazon warehouses in exchange for parking money and a few bucks, Fern only watches and listens to people, most of them telling their real-life stories. Here are Linda May, Fern's best friend; Swankie, the kayaker and birdwatcher in her final moments of life; and the mixed prophet and spiritual mentor Bob Wells.

Down the road, David Strathairn appears as Dave, a peaceful and lovely person who tries to win Fern's affection. She also likes her fellow traveller but somehow knows that this story of sleeping in the comfort of a bed is already something that doesn't concern her. In the end, she returns to Empire, which is no more.