Host Jesse Jackson welcomes Lou and Karen for a JKL Media tie-in discussion of the 2025 film "Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere," directed by Scott Cooper and based on Warren Zanes’ book about the making of Bruce Springsteen’s "Nebraska." They praise Jeremy Allen White’s performance as Springsteen and Jeremy Strong’s portrayal of manager Jon Landau, but debate who the movie is meant for—hardcore fans versus casual viewers—given its quiet focus on depression, trauma, and the Nebraska era rather than the E Street Band or the more widely known "Born in the U.S.A." period. Lou, less familiar with "Nebraska," finds the film surface-level, criticizing thin characterization (including Springsteen’s father, played by Stephen Graham), a cutaway from a key therapy scene, minimal exploration of individual songs, and the E Street Band’s near-silent portrayal. Karen also notes the story can feel generic without deeper Springsteen context, wishes the film emphasized Springsteen’s mother and band dynamics more, and argues the romantic subplot involving the composite character “Faye” feels unnecessary. Jesse provides background on how the project came to be, shares lore and real-life parallels (including Springsteen’s first psychiatrist visit and a later conversation with his father), and agrees the movie is a mixed bag that likely lands best for viewers who know the book and backstory.
00:00 Welcome + Why This Springsteen Movie Feels Like a Question Mark
01:42 First Reactions: Performances, Expectations, and ‘Who Is This For?’
03:13 How the Film Got Made: Warren Zanes, Scott Cooper, and Bruce Saying Yes
04:29 Nebraska vs. Born in the U.S.A.: The Era Casual Fans Don’t Know
06:13 Book vs. Movie + The Film’s Quiet, Depression-Focused Tone
08:36 The ‘Love Story’ Angle: Bruce & Manager Jon Landau
12:43 Lou’s Critique: Transactional Scenes and Dodging the Therapy Breakthrough
15:17 Bruce’s Father (Stephen Graham) + Missing Depth and Backstory
17:11 Where’s the E Street Band? Collaboration Erased on Screen
19:33 Karen’s Take: Generic Biopic Vibes, Lore-Heavy Story Choice, and What’s Missing
24:32 The Ending with Bruce’s Dad: Lap Scene, Payoff Without Buildup, and Real-Life Context
30:28 Family Wounds & the Film’s Emotional Core (Bruce and His Dad)
30:49 Who Is This Movie For? The Faye Romance Debate
31:51 Mustard-Gate & Other Fan-Accuracy Nitpicks
32:56 What the Movie Should’ve Shown: E Street Band & Studio Depth
34:39 Mixed Bag Reception: Highlights, Awards, and What Worked
35:35 Lou’s Non‑Sequitur Notes: Wasted Characters, Song Talk, and Stephen King Links
39:16 Karen’s Final Thoughts: Music Choices, Badlands, and Missed Potential
45:02 Wrap-Up, Next Watches, and Where to Find Everyone
48:30 Podcast Outro & Housekeeping: Contact Info and Other Shows
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