Directed and co-written by Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart (2009); Black Mass (2015); The Pale Blue Eye (2022)) and starring Jeremy Allen White (The Iron Claw (2023); The Rental (2020); Shameless (tv series, 2011-21)), Stephen Graham (Boiling Point (2021); This is England (2006); Adolescence (tv series, 2025)), Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice (2024); The Big Short (2025); Succession (tv series, 2018-23)), Gaby Hoffmann (Field of Dreams (1989); Uncle Buck (1989); C'mon, C'mon (2021)) and Odessa Young (The Professor (2018); Mothering Sunday (2021); The Man in the Woods (2020)).

Biopic; 119 mins; 12+

Based on Warren Zanes' book, this musical biopic charts Bruce Springsteen's journey in crafting his 1982 album "Nebraska", which emerged as he recorded Born in the USA with the E Street Band, aged 31 years old, and before he emerged as a global superstar. 

It shows young Springsteen (Jeremy Allen White) as a gifted songwriter in New Jersey who is focussed on his creative craft and who enjoys performing in small venues such as The Stone Pony club. It is there that he meets Faye (Odessa Young), a single mother with whom he develops a relationship, but is reluctant to form a commitment.

Unlike other such biopics of well-known musicians, this does not feature any substance abuse of any kind, but it does show the young man's fragile state of mind and mental health struggles.

It includes scenes with his mother Adele Springsteen (Gaby Hoffmann), and flashbacks involving his working class father Douglas Springsteen (Stephen Graham) with whom he reconnects later in the film.

But it also portrays Jon Landau (Jeremy Strong) as his manager and friend/confidant who understands his protegé and has a calming influence over him, never pushing him and always seeking to do what Springsteen wants, primarily regarding his music but also when he needs space and solitude, which is when he does his best writing. Springsteen sought out and used a 4-track tape recorder in his bedroom to record acoustic sounds which he resisted pressure from his recording label to change...

A wonderful performance from Jeremy Allen White in the lead role, with graining used magnificently to authenticate scenes from 40 years ago, which dovetail beautifully with the raw storytelling showcased in the artist's songs. Well worth viewing this in an IMAX cinema where the audio quality is increased exponentially. 

Currently screening at Kinepolis and CiNextDoor in Luxembourg.