Bruce Springsteen is one of the most recognizable names in music history. From best selling albums and concerts with his E Street Band, to winning an Oscar for his song “Streets of Philadelphia” used in the 1993 film “Philadelphia” to receiving the Medal of Freedom by former President Barack Obama, Springsteen is nicknamed “The Boss.”
It seemed natural that a biopic on Springsteen would be made after all these years, but not in the way some people would completely expect. For those not familiar with a lot of Springsteen’s music, the film has been getting critical buzz following its premiere at Telluride.
I had the fortunate privilege of seeing “Deliver Me from Nowhere” at the 63rd New York Film Festival, and the finished film is the biggest surprise of 2025 in the best way.
“Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere” is written and directed by Scott Cooper director of “Black Mass,” “Hostiles” and “The Pale Blue Eye,” and stars Jeremy Allen White as Springsteen who tries to reconcile the ghosts of his past on the brink of superstardom as he makes his 1982 album “Nebraska.”
Actors in biopics usually give exceptional performances, and White, best known for “The Bear” and “Shameless” is no different. He is excellent as Springsteen showing the charisma, nuance and vulnerability in a music legend as well as his singing in the film.
During the Q&A after the film, White spoke about how intimidating it was to pull it off.
“I read the script, and I loved how focused it was,” said White. “But yeah, it was incredibly daunting to portray someone who’s so known and beloved and rightfully so. I think our relationships specifically to musicians are so personal and intimate, and I didn’t want to get in the way of any of that.”
One of the things “Springsteen” does so well artistically is showing the flashbacks of a young Springsteen with his parents played by Stephen Graham, known for “Adolescence” and Gaby Hoffman, known for Kelly Reichardt’s “The Mastermind.”
Cooper uses black and white for flashbacks, not just for dramatic effect, but to show the deeply complicated relationship with young Springsteen and his volatile father, which was a major influence when making the album.
I really appreciated how this wasn’t a standard biopic like “Elvis,” but rather showed an important part of Springsteen’s life.
Springsteen had an unconventional method when making his album “Nebraska” – he wanted no interviews, tours or press, much to the disappointment of Al Teller, a record executive at Columbia played by David Krumholtz. The film portrays this element realistically as “Nebraska” is considered Springsteen’s most personal album and usually when an album is released, the singer will release singles and possibly go on tour.
Another great performance is Jeremy Strong as Springsteen’s manager Jon Landau (not to be confused with the late “Avatar” producer) showing great care and concern for Springsteen’s career and mental health. The real Landau recognized the album’s artistic merit and wanted to protect its integrity.
There could have been tighter pacing within the first half of the film and a few more scenes of him performing on stage as well as it still could have retained its humanistic perspective.
Music biopics can be hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and the underrated “Back to Black,” or misses like the overrated “Better Man,”even though it was very well received.
Nevertheless “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere” is a hit. If you enjoy Springsteen’s music or music biopics, it is definitely worth a watch and earns a B-plus. “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere” is in theaters now.
Linden Lansberry is a student at IU Indianapolis studying communication.
Late 2025 Newfields art exhibition: A watercolor juried show
By Devin Bates | Dec. 4This year at Newfields Art Museum of Indianapolis, watercolor is a large theme in their temporary exhibitions. From the historic pieces of J.M.W. Turner, a forefather of watercolor to the modern local artists competing in a competition dedicated to watercolor, this art could be found within the state’s radius as Newfields was displaying the 43rd watercolor annual juried show.
“77 and sunny”: The wearable art collection combining mental health and artistic expression
By Mya Kalita | Nov. 24Plaid blankets laid over the grass and picnic baskets were filled with a feast of decadent food. Elegant models lay across the picnic dressed in avant-garde dresses. What appears to be the perfect picnic scene, is just another fantasy world created by Monique Burts. From dresses that look like cake, to dresses crafted completely out of paper, Burts puts on wearable art performances to tell her story.
REVIEW: Sticky Notes opens in the Campus Center – serving sweets and smiles
By Regina Graves | Nov. 20A new sweet shop called Sticky Notes has opened on campus this fall 2025, bringing students, staff and visitors a fun and uplifting place to enjoy desserts, candies and different pastries. Designed as both a dessert stop and mental recharge, the shop has quickly become one of many to go spots for students looking for something sweet and positive on campus.
