OMAHA

At the crack of dawn, Ella and Charlie’s dad rouses them out of bed and tells them to pack their bags as quickly as possible. They hastily gather their most precious belongings, and their dog, Rex, and load up their station wagon. A police officer stops them just before they leave and asks the dad a few concerning questions. They give their failing vehicle a push start then the three of them set off for Omaha, with no explanation. Screenwriter Robert Machoian and first-time director Cole Webley tell their intimate story carefully and sensitively, shifting between the perspectives of the kids, who are trying to make sense of this sudden road trip and have fun along the way, and their father, who is guarding his secrets while keeping things as normal as possible. Shaded by a delicate score from Christopher Bear of Grizzly Bear, much of the drama is told in the tight confines of the family station wagon, and there are plenty of moments of joy—a detour to fly kites at the Bonneville Salt Flats is a highlight—en route to a devastating destination. Omaha is anchored by a stellar performance by John Magaro (Past Lives, First Cow), an outstanding character actor in a rare lead performance. He’s utterly heartbreaking as a man just barely keeping it together. ~OO