Nomadland (2020)

In all the years I've reviewed movies on the main show (posted
here more recently) I've never given a perfect 10 out of 10 to a
new release film before Nomadland. It's so much more than the
grim, cinema verite, politicized look at America's post global
financial crisis economic situation I expected. Instead I got the
most insanely beautiful and artistic poem about heartland
America, an optimistic world of people who'd escaped the "tyranny
of the dollar" for an enrichingly soulful existence, that never
needs to bang any drum, and gives wonderful characters effected
by economic hard times but never formed by them. Front and
center, Francis McDormand, who creates a character as likeable,
alienated and unknowable as Harry Dean Stanton in Paris Texas - a
film I found myself frequently referencing. Director Chloe Zhao
shows complete mastery of the form and never makes a single
misstep, even the cinematography and music are stunning. I'd feel
comfortable calling it the best picture, director and actress
Oscar winner, though it will certainly pic up nominations for the
screenplay, supporting actor, score and cinematography, so that
list maybe too short. A modern masterpiece.