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

Friday Film Review: Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

The film Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, directed by Scott Cooper and adapted from Warren Zanes’ book, offers an intimate portrait of Bruce Springsteen during a pivotal and personal period in his life.

Focus on a Quiet Chapter

Instead of tracing Springsteen’s climb to stardom, the movie explores a quieter chapter in the early 1980s after the massive success of The River. We see Springsteen retreating from the pressures of fame to a modest rental in New Jersey, where he revisits memories and starts crafting new music.

The Making of Nebraska

Equipped with a four-track recorder, Springsteen embarks on creating the album Nebraska, which contrasts his earlier stadium anthems with stripped-down, haunting storytelling.

Performances

Jeremy Allen White delivers a powerful portrayal of Springsteen, perfectly capturing the artist’s struggles with fame, self-doubt, and isolation. Impressively, White performs all the vocals himself — a feat Springsteen praised, stating he couldn’t distinguish the singer on some tracks.
Stephen Graham appears as Springsteen’s father in black-and-white flashbacks, adding depth by showing the pain and complex history that influenced Bruce’s music.

“I couldn’t tell who was singing on some tracks.” — Bruce Springsteen on Jeremy Allen White’s vocals

Overall, the film provides a stripped-back, compelling glimpse into a transformative moment for an iconic artist, focusing on his emotional and creative reinvention.

Author’s summary: This film captures Bruce Springsteen’s personal struggle and creative rebirth after fame, featuring remarkable performances that reveal the heart behind the music.

KPCW — 2025-11-07