If you’ve seen The Bear, then you know what a capable actor Jeremy Allen White is. You would also know that he gives every role his all, whether it is Carmy from The Bear or Lip from Shameless, White embodies the role. How does he do in his interpretation of The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen? In Deliver Me From Nowhere, taken from Warren Zanes’ book of the same name, does Jeremy Allen White hit it out of the concert stadium?
Deliver Me From Nowhere Premise
The film primarily covers the making of Bruce Springsteen’s 1982 album Nebraska. Springsteen had just come back from his tour promoting his 1980 double album The River, and he wanted to do something more introspective and musically stripped down.
Springsteen spoke to his manager, Jon Landau, about doing an intimate type of recording and making an album with more of an Americana sound. Nebraska turned out to be an interesting assortment of folk-sounding songs, which would show a different side to Springsteen. Songs like ‘Reason to Believe,’ ‘Atlantic City,’ and ‘Open All Night’ carry messages of both isolation and hope. Throughout the album, loneliness is a recurring theme.
The album cover for Nebraska is stark. It’s a black and white snapshot of a road (probably in Nebraska) viewed from a car’s dashboard. The recordings themselves are somewhat desolate and simple, reminiscent of a lost pathway or something from the past which needs to be found.
Nebraska ultimately got the nod and is recorded on a four-track recorder in Springsteen’s New Jersey home. Although the album didn’t have Bruce’s E Street Band backing him up musically, they’re featured in the film with Johnny Cannizzaro as Steve Van Zandt. Marc Maron plays Chuck Plotkin, Jeremy Strong portrays Jon Landau, Gaby Hoffmann plays Bruce’s mother, while Stephen Graham rounds out the film as his father.
Jeremy Allen White Becomes Bruce
Although it still remains to be seen how much Jeremy Allen White is singing in the flick, it’s been confirmed that he does sing ‘Born to Run’ and ‘Nebraska.’ Bruce Springsteen himself visited the set and met White. He has been involved with the film and has helped shape production. White said of the iconic singer:
Bruce has been really lovely and supportive and available, which has made this whole process I think such an extra joy that we have his support and Jon Landau — his manager’s — support, who has a large role in the film, as well.
The Trailer is Out for Deliver Me From Nowhere
Can White convey what Bruce was thinking and feeling prior to the making of this record? We’d like to think so, if the trailer is any indication. It certainly seems that he’ll have no problem with his interpretation of Bruce. His acting has been highly praised for the complexity of the roles he has played in the past.
Plus, who knew White could sing? Whether he just does a few songs or a majority of the songs featured in the film, we have no doubly that it will be a great movie! This is slated to be released on October 24, 2025. In the meantime, if you’re craving a good story about The Boss, check out the 2019 UK movie Blinded by the Light. This film follows journalist Sarfraz Manzoor’s love of Bruce Springsteen’s music.
