My New Favorite Road Movie

 November 12, 2026

   If you believe honesty is attractive, and I think it is, then Frances McDormand is the most beautiful woman in the world. On a whim, we watched the first film by the Coen brothers, Blood Simple (1984) and there was Frances in her first movie, looking so cute with that full head of hair. 

Frances With A Full Head of Eighties Hair

   Last night we were roaming around on Netflix and Prime trying to find something and we landed on Nomadland (2021) which, of course, we had seen in the theater when it came out but on the second viewing, I suddenly saw it with new eyes. I have always loved Road Movies (Two-lane Blacktop!) but this one is the piece de resistance. Not only did the film win the Oscar for best picture and best director, but Frances won for best actress AND as a producer! It is a first and for good reason. How in the hell could someone, well, you know. The film is so damn authentic and understated and profound and Frances had her hair cut—it is SHORN!— and she still conveys a beauty I never knew possible.

Frances Shorn Beauty

   Yes, I kind of liked it.

"There is no final goodbye. You know I've met hundreds of people out here and they don't ever say a final goodbye. I always just say, 'I'll see you down the road.' And I do. And whether it's a month, or a year, or sometimes years, I see them again. . .I'll see you down the road."

—The Coda to Nomadland