Reece himself performs an ‘80s nation star named Troyal Brux. In case you assume that’s an odd identify, it’s value noting that Garth Brooks’ actual identify is Troyal Garth Brooks, making the parallel to a different Oklahoma artist very intentional. Brux has reached a degree in his profession the place he is pondering the large questions on what all of it means. When he says on a present that George Jones is considered one of his idols, the nation singer reaches out to Brux and invitations him to go to him in Nashville for an evening that goes from dialog to loopy tales to pointed weapons to uncomfortable massages. Ben Corridor performs Jones virtually extra like a grizzled mobster than a rustic singer—though perhaps the distinction isn’t that distinct. He’s seen all of it, finished all of it, and largely hates all of it.
A dialog between a rising star and a fading one is inherently fascinating, and “Nation Gold” is at its finest when Reece and Corridor riff off one another, contrasting the very completely different energies of their characters. That is established early in considered one of my favourite scenes after Jones orders a uncommon steak and Brux commits the carnal sin of ordering his well-done. With some intelligent animation to drive the purpose house, Jones factors out the error of his methods in a bit that’s humorous and table-setting for what’s to come back. You’ll be able to’t discover two guys extra basically completely different than the uncommon steak man and the well-done one.
What feels prefer it is likely to be a two-hander pivots into one thing stranger as George and Troyal find yourself at a dive bar, and the film intercuts George’s larger-than-life tales with a one-crazy-night narrative that entails drug use and the temptation of infidelity for the trustworthy Brux. Jones tells tales that flip into flashbacks of his youth, and the primary one casts him as a literal hitman for the mob. Is Reece taking part in up the legendary standing of a rustic icon? Making him even bigger than life? To what finish? What does all of it imply?
