Friday Film Review | 'Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere'

Friday Film Review | Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

"Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere," directed by Scott Cooper and based on Warren Zanes’ book, presents an intimate portrayal of Bruce Springsteen during a pivotal personal phase. Instead of focusing on his rise to fame, the film highlights a quieter period marked by emotional struggle and creative transformation.

Plot Overview

Set in the early 1980s, the story follows Springsteen after the huge success of The River. Exhausted by the pressures of fame, he withdraws to a simple rental in New Jersey. Equipped with a four-track recorder and a mind full of unresolved experiences, he begins working on Nebraska, an album that shifts from grand stadium rock to bare and haunting narratives.

Performances

Jeremy Allen White delivers a gripping portrayal of Springsteen, capturing his struggles with fame, doubt, and solitude. Remarkably, he performs all the singing himself, a fact Springsteen admired, saying he could not always tell who was singing.
Stephen Graham appears as Springsteen’s father in black and white flashbacks, adding depth by revealing the complicated and painful background that influenced Bruce’s music.

“He couldn’t tell who was singing on some tracks,” referring to Jeremy Allen White's vocals in the film.

The film offers a fresh and deeply human perspective on a legendary artist during a transformative moment.

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KPCW — 2025-11-07