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Scott Cooper<\/strong>\u2019s Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere<\/em> has been born to make an Oscar run.<\/p>\n The Boss biopic, starring Jeremy Allen White<\/strong> as the iconic rocker, is earning largely positive reviews following its Friday debut at the Telluride Film Festival. Adapted from Warren Zanes<\/strong>\u2019s biography Deliver Me From Nowhere<\/em>, the film explores a pivotal two-year stretch in Bruce Springsteen<\/strong>\u2019s life, centering on the introspective period that led to the creation of his 1982 solo acoustic album Nebraska<\/em>. Odessa Young<\/strong> plays Springsteen\u2019s love interest, while Jeremy Strong<\/strong> takes on the role of Jon Landau<\/strong>, his loyal manager.<\/p>\n More from Gold Derby<\/strong><\/p>\n Robert Daniels<\/strong> at RogerEbert.com<\/a><\/em> says the film \u201cis initially overburdened with clich\u00e9,\u201d but soon finds its footing. \u201cThen Deliver Me from Nowhere<\/em> shifts. It begins to open up, becoming a soulful and meditative character study of a depressed artist laid bare.\u201d<\/p>\n Daniels is particularly struck by White\u2019s portrayal of Springsteen: \u201cHe\u2019s pained, tortured and fearful, emotions that are translated through his bulging facial features and his stammering delivery. <\/em>He does less emulation and more acting, listening and reacting, thinking about his character\u2019s emotions.\u201d And when it comes to the portrayal of Jon Landau, he says Strong brings him to life with subtlety and ease: \u201cStrong also takes on a greater role, offering the most tender performance of his career,\u201d Daniels writes. \u201cStrong never overplays Landau’s support, allowing his eyes to transmit kindness with a light smile to punctuate the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Variety<\/em>‘s<\/a> Peter Debruge<\/strong> applauds the film for sidestepping the usual rockstar biopic clich\u00e9s, choosing instead to zero in on a \u201csoul-searching moment\u201d in Springsteen\u2019s life. He also praises the casting of White, writing that the Bear<\/em> star \u201cslips easily into the worn denim and sleeveless T-shirts that were Springsteen\u2019s signature. More importantly, he does all his own singing, capturing the scratchy, soul-searching baritone that marked that period of his career.\u201d<\/p>\n Scott Feinberg<\/strong> at The Hollywood Reporter<\/em> <\/a>agrees that the film, which explores one of the most difficult chapters in Springsteen’s life, stands apart from other Oscar-recognized rock biopics like Bohemian Rhapsody<\/em>, Rocketman<\/em>, and Elvis<\/em>.<\/p>\n “Springsteen\u00a0is as much a film about depression as it is a film about being a rock star,” he writes. He notes that while he “tremendously appreciate the film\u2019s great attention to detail and accuracy” in portraying the period during which The Boss was crafting his Nebraska<\/em> album, he questions whether audiences “will care about that as much as wanting to see a depiction of the man they know from the nearly half-century since\u00a0Nebraska.”<\/p>\n Yet the performances, he says, are undeniable: “In any event, one thing that nobody can take issue with is the quality of the three central performances in the film. As the lead, White projects Springsteen\u2019s soulfulness and swagger, and capably does his own singing. And in supporting roles, Strong gives another transformative turn… while Young is charming and vulnerable. All three will be strong contenders for Oscar nominations.”<\/p>\n Best of Gold Derby<\/strong><\/p>\n Sign up for Gold Derby’s Newsletter<\/a>. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n