Wendy And Lucy Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES PLOT SUMMARY
A woman's life is derailed en route to a potentially lucrative summer job. When her car breaks down, and her dog is taken to the pound, the thin fabric of her financial situation comes apart, and she is led through a series of increasingly dire economic decisions.
| Michelle Williams | Wendy |
| Will Patton | Mechanic |
| Will Oldham | Icky |
| John Robinson | Andy |
| Wally Dalton | Security Guard |
| Larry Fessenden | Man in Park |
| M. Blash | Dan's Voice |
| John Breen | Mr. Hunt |
| Michael Brophy | Grocery Store Stocker |
| Deneb Catalan | Jamie |
| Dave Hubner | Kid by Fire |
| David Rives Curtright | Man Reading Book |
| Roger D. Faires | Recycler in Wheelchair |
| George Haapala | Homeowner |
| Kelly Reichardt |
7.40 out of 10 (2267 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Boring
posted on 27 Aug 2009Very slow moving story.The lead does not have any manners (does not say please and hardly ever says thank you).The security guard was very nice and helpful and although he obviously didn't have much he was willing to help a stranger.I would not recommend unless you also don't mind watching paint dry.The one bonus for this film is the dog is cute. You never really like the lead character enough to care. Sure there was a part of me as a pet owner to hope she could find her dog, but ultimately I was thinking the dog would be better off with someone else.2/10
simple yet beautiful.
posted on 25 Aug 2009From the director of 'Old Joy' comes the brilliant new film 'Wendy and Lucy' or one girl and her dog as it could have been titled. Kelly Reichardt directs Michelle Williams as Wendy as she suffers the trials and tribulations of travelling across small town America with just her dog Lucy for company. If you've seen 'Old Joy' you'll already have some idea of the pacing of this film, more concerned with cinematography than dialogue the film is shot amazingly letting ordinary things such as car parks and train carriages take centre stage and become oddly beautiful. Of course the film wouldn't be anything if it wasn't for the amazing central performance by Williams as the head strong yet vulnerable Wendy and the joy of this film is that this is only a snap shot of her life, we as the viewer only get to see a small portion of what is obviously a bigger story. There is also a great performance from Wally Dalton as the security guard and a small part for William Oldham (Bonnie Prince Billy) as a traveller met upon the path. By taking such a simple story and telling it in such poetic fashion Reichardt has raised her profile as one to watch on the independent film circuit and given us an understated gem that will warm and break the heart in equal measure.
Simple and quiet, W&L says more with less.
posted on 01 Aug 2009The true triumph of this film is its ability to say so much about the cold, cruel reality of just how close some people are to breaking their banks and their hearts. What fascinates me is: there are a few big budget films out there right now - all scrambling desperately to capture the same themes as W&L - that have no concept of how real people really act and survive. Those filmmakers must be pulling their hair out screaming "how can she say it all with one woman and a dog, and I can't say a damned thing with all these great special effects???"That is the joy in this film. The simple, honest, brutal truth of now. Enjoy.
The anti- "Marley and Me" - And that's a good thing
posted on 20 Jul 2009My fiancée and I are dog lovers (especially my fiancée), and we didn't care much for "Marley and Me." And while "Wendy and Lucy" is a different kind of "dog" movie, that was one of the determiners of us wanting to see it (that and the fact that it was critically so well-reviewed). We both liked this movie so much better, especially me. Very sad and powerful, and I kept thinking, "for the grace of God go I" while watching it. I wasn't as impressed with Michelle Williams as everyone else, but I thought she did a good job in an extremely minimalist portrayal.Yes, she makes stupid decisions in this movie, but I found that consistent with the character, because undoubtedly, she made many stupid decisions to have put herself in this predicament to begin with.I also noticed a commenter thought that Wendy was selfish to leave Lucy with her new owners. Nothing could be further from the truth. This was the ultimate selfless act on her part, as she realized Lucy would have a far better life staying where she was at the moment.I can see why this was on so many "Best 10" lists of 2008. I wish it had been around more so I could have seen it in theatres. I saw it last night, and I'm still haunted by it. The more I think about it, the more I really appreciate it.
Haunting and timely
posted on 14 Jul 2009Is there any other American film that captures the inner cries of our times with greater eloquence than Kelly Reichardt's "Wendy and Lucy"? In the wake of economic doldrums and fractured working-class psyches, this impassive story of a woman stranded in the graveyard of middle class America evokes the struggle between hope and ennui with uncanny timeliness. Call it a snapshot of life on the fringes of desolation row, or better yet, a metaphysical odyssey into a not-so-mythical American wasteland.The film's protagonist is Wendy, played with quiet intensity by Michelle Williams ("The Station Agent," "Brokeback Mountain"), a young woman journeying towards Alaska in search of a new life. Her road trip is impeded by declining funds and a broken-down car, leaving her temporarily stranded on the outskirts of Portland with her beloved dog Lucy. After a botched attempt at petty thievery, a young grocery clerk refuses to grant her clemency; as a result, Wendy is briefly taken in and Lucy disappears. An aging security guard plays the Good Samaritan, offering to help Wendy search for her lost companion and serving as an unlikely source of moral support amidst the town's sea of indifference.As its melancholy story progresses, "Wendy and Lucy" seems to have less in common with its American brethren than with the films of Vittorio De Sica and Roberto Rossellini, masters of Italian neo-realism who channeled their passion for cinema through tales of the poor and working class. Walking the streets in search of catharsis, Wendy's plight is not unlike that of Antonio Vitti's in "Bicycle Thieves": Both are deprived of the right to pursue happiness in a world where lost opportunities often call for desperate measures.But no matter. Like sojourners of ages past, the resilient heroine ultimately gains the inner strength to start off again–albeit alone. Reichardt's approach to cinema as life-affirming art reaches a level of transcendence in the film's richly ambiguous conclusion. Jumping onto a boxcar, Wendy gazes out at the lush beauty of forests flying past, pondering her one-way ticket to an uncertain Promised Land–as are we.
A sentimental film that has you feeling sorry for the lead character a short indie of life's shortcomings and it's unexpected downs.
posted on 08 Jul 2009This indie picture "Wendy and Lucy" has in some sense a close resemblance to "Into the Wild", yet her the lead character is not as fortunate nor does the character experience good bonding friendship along her journey of hardship as "Into the Wild" was more of a discovery film and the lead was a male gender. Still this film will have you feeling sorry for it's lead as it shows just how bad life can be for some people as obstacle after obstacle can come up along their journey of life.Michelle Williams(in one of her most unattractive roles) is Wendy a young Indiana woman who's became a loner and drifter and she's set out on her own to start a new life and journey. Wendy has only two things left to live for that's her loving sidekick a dog named Lucy and it's her journey and dream to make it to Alaska and work at a fishery. Along the way she gets stuck in the Pacific Northwest as this is where the film starts to twist with hardship and it emotionally and vividly shows how a journey of life can be a struggle with uncertainty and loneliness. It all starts as Wendy who's already cash strapped and broke has her car break down, as she has to drift and search for help. Conflict is the norm along the way from her getting caught shoplifting to having a tough time fitting in and making friends with the townspeople. Then to top off all the trouble she's separated from her dog Lucy on the roadsides.All from then on one can see from the direction that this film goes it shows that no matter how much you want a journey of escape, when your forced into a world of no income, friends, or transportation you fall into the limits of the world at hand and no one will feel the duty to help you in troubled times. Overall "Wendy and Lucy" is one of those films that you will leave feeling sympathetic for the lead character yet it will teach you a lesson that without resources and connections the journey of life and your traveling destination becomes harsh almost impossible and as you see in the films end before you reach your new discovery destination you most likely have to give up your most precious bonding friend. As in life during a travel of journey you learn every time you leave somewhere or someone.
Very affecting
posted on 02 Jul 2009It is amazing to me that viewers see this film so differently. The surface plot has been related many times here so not much to add there. I found the movie haunting and thought about it for several days. Because there were so few characters, each was very important from the young man in the grocery store with the prominent crucifix and fallow heart to the terrifying visitor in the woods. The mechanic was an observer who felt no real compassion but am sure he felt himself fair. He was a hard man. I found no fault in Wendy. She kept her sanity and her dignity while suffering body blows. She never abased herself, but carried on. There was something about this story that felt like the darker fairy tales I read as a child. There was no sure light at the end of the tunnel yet, when she told Lucy that she would come back, I believed her. Think I will let this move settle, then watch it again. Michelle Williams is lovely and did a beautiful job with this portrait. I'll look for her in other movies.
Sweet, sad little tale undermined by unimaginative film-making
posted on 28 Jun 2009The only reason this film holds any interest at all is because of Michelle Williams' excellent performance. But as a character study, a road movie, a girl-and-her-dog story, or a polemic about the unfairness of capitalism towards its underclass, it fails to create anything more than a very slight impression. The reason, IMO, is the utterly talentless film-making, particularly the amateurish and boring cinematography and editing. The script is little more than a series of sad encounters, and one couldn't expect much more from a story about a woman so emotionally shut down, but what one could expect was some kind of visual poetry.
a quiet little gem.
posted on 28 Jun 2009Man, I'm a sucker for this kind of picture. Realism. A movie about real people, in real situations, just like you and me. No frills, no fantasy, no flash. It's not that I don't like movies with these elements in them; It's that a prefer movies without them. I like Michelle Williams without the make-up - just a waif caught in a tough situation in a generic Americana setting. It looks like a small town, but I see the credits say it's Portland Oregon.I'm also a sucker for trains, so I loved all the train shots. Is there a symbolism to the trains? Funny how many times a forlorn train horn is heard nearby, punctuating the quiet desperation of Wendy's plight. I loved the security guy (Wally Dalton) - he shows us there's hope no matter what the situation.....there really is always someone who cares. I sure hope Wendy makes it to Alaska; she deserves to.For those who like this one, you'll like a similar movie I viewed just a few days previous; it has a similar pace, and feel as this one, and a storyline with a little more tension: "Frozen River". Catch it if you can.
Sadness in stark simplicity
posted on 20 Jun 2009Minimalism exists in all art forms, whether it's a painting of a simple geometric shape, a song using only a few repeated notes, or a film that is about a young woman trying to find her dog. Some viewers will miss the point of this and not enjoy the film. While it's true that there is very little background on the main character, the run time is short, and there is not a lot action, these are not the right questions. With minimalism, the question seems to be "How well can you express something with very limited resources?" The answer, as it pertains to "Wendy and Lucy," is phenomenally and heartwrenchingly well. The storyline "A young homeless woman on her way from Indiana to Alaska loses her dog while passing through Oregon. She spends the rest of the movie trying to find it," could be the plot for a sappy Disney or Hallmark Channel movie. The genius of this movie is how remarkably un-sappy it comes across. Michelle Williams' portrayal of Wendy, a young member of the invisible underclass of society, left this well-fed and comfortably housed viewer thinking "Wow. I have no idea if this is what it's like to be homeless, but it absolutely could be." She catches a break in her search for Lucy and the movie ends in an unexpected way. Days later, I'm still wrestling with whether or not I agree with what she did, and if I would have done the same thing in her situation. Good films make you ask these sorts of questions.Michelle Williams as Wendy is straightforward and sympathetic. Some reviewers complained that her unknown background or poor decisions make it difficult to like her. Others were turned off by the lack of affect the character possesses. I disagree. Wendy is deserving of sympathy if for no other reason than she is actively trying to improve her life by finding a job. When she needs money, she collects cans for the deposit. Even when she needs money a phone call, she offers the security guard change from her car seat for quarters rather than merely asking for money. Her decision to steal the dog food inevitably separates her from Lucy, but are those who would condemn her come across like the "Real Hero" teenage clerk who catches her. It's easy to condemn stealing in all instances - but life, as this movie so wonderfully illustrates, is comprised of nuanced shades of grey rather than the black and white we'd like it to be. I was drawn to this movie after hearing about it on the Slate.com critic's "Best of 2008" list. Then I read that it was filmed in Portland, my home city, and my interest grew. When I read that it was filmed in North Portland, my old neighborhood, my anticipation ratcheted up to the level of "must see it in the theater." As it turned out, a good deal of this movie was filmed two blocks from where I used to live. Big deal, you say? I mention it only to note that the distraction of recognizing scenery and landmarks was probably the only thing that kept me from breaking down and sobbing at this painful exhibition of a young woman's life that must be spot-on for far too many people, and I'm not one who cries at many movies.The only quibbles I have with "Wendy & Lucy" are the notion that it is set in a small Oregon town. Would a small town have a security guard outside a drug store, and a sizable homeless population? North Portland (specifically Lombard St. between I-5 and Portsmouth - the site of most of the locations) does have a yesteryear feel to it, but it is certainly not a "small town." Locals will also puzzle over why she went 15 miles south to Wilsonville on her way to Alaska and why she went to court in Washington county for an offense committed in Multnomah county, but these are minute gaffs that are probably present in every single movie due to the constraints of securing filming locations.This film is highly recommended, but it absolutely is NOT the "Feel Good Movie of The Year." Also, with a run time of only 80 minutes, you may find yourself sad AND wondering what to do with the rest of the evening besides getting that sorrowful tune she hums out of your head.
A Near Perfect Miniature
posted on 16 Jun 2009Wendy wants to take her dog to Alaska where she hopes to find work in a fish cannery. Car troubles complicate her plan. Wendy's only real sin, and the engine that drives the story, is that she doesn't have a lot of money. She needs to get to Alaska and earn some more before she runs out. It is the simplicity and universality of her predicament and the matter-of-fact details with which Kelly Reichardt documents it that make this tiny slice of life unforgettable. Easily ninety percent of Michelle Williams' performance is non-verbal. She betrays as little emotion as she can, trying to maintain her self control. The brilliance of this understatement is that we must constantly place ourselves in her position to understand what must be going through her head. Everything about this film is deceptively easy. It is so brutally honest that any attempt at a Hollywood story element would break the movie's spell. WENDY AND LUCY's brevity is one of its chief virtues.
Long, Slow Road to Nowhere
posted on 02 Jun 2009(Spoilers - first and last paragraph are safe, though)I could relate to the main character's predicament - being young, at least somewhat naive, in a strange place without enough money to do whatever it is they are doing. But Wendy's actions quickly started to lose me.You leave your dog tied up in front of a store without telling anyone in the store she is there and you will only be a few minutes and to please help watch our for her?You have over $500 in your pocket but you choose to shoplift a few dollars worth of stuff?You get hauled off in a police car and do not ask the store staff to look after your dog until you can get back? And what was her plan to begin with? She did not have enough money to make it to Washington and then take herself and the car on the ferry to Alaska, even before figuring in auto repair costs. And again, what about the dog?With all these moronic oversights and goofs, it was hard to feel much sympathy for her, especially since no background is given.Then there is the matter of the movie's plot. I could recount every major (and most minor) plot points for the entire movie in under two minutes. The film did not deliver anything worthwhile to justify so little story given its runtime. Not recommended.
The surprise hit of 2008.....well, for me anyway
posted on 31 May 2009Wendy and Lucy makes use of a highly minimalist style in its story-telling, and as a result the film is quite dry, and arid; but surprisingly, I found this to be very appealing, and personally loved the film. Wendy and Lucy, despite being short and sweet, is one of the best films I've seen from 2008. It's such a simply movie, yet it can have a profound effect on the viewer (like yours truly). I was hooked from the beginning, and loved the film during its entire duration.The plot of Wendy and Lucy is dastardly simple; it basically follows Wendy, who is on her way to Alaska from Indiana in search of a better and more fulfilling life. The film focuses on her stop in Oregon, which turns out to be much longer than she expected due to unforeseen problems. Wendy, who lives in her car and is hesitant to use the little cash she has, resorts to stealing goods from a supermarket one day; however, she is caught and spends the rest of the day in police custody. When she returns to pick up her dog, Lucy, whom she left tied up in front of the supermarket, she arrives to find her missing. Further frustration is caused when her car won't start anymore, and she is left stranded in Oregon. Wendy and Lucy follows in the tradition of 2006's Little Miss Sunshine and 2007's Juno; this trio of sweetheart indie flicks were all surprise hits with critics and audiences at the time of their release, although Wendy and Lucy doesn't quite fit into this category as much. Nevertheless, the film is as good as LSM and Juno, succeeding easily in charming its audiences as well as keeping them engrossed and entertained. Like I said earlier, the plot of Wendy and Lucy is so simple, and it feels somewhat pointless when reading up on the film before watching it. However, the straightforward and undemanding story are surprisingly interesting, and also very intriguing to watch. We can't help but sympathise with the character of Wendy, who seemingly has the gods against her. The film's ending further creates a stir of emotions, albeit sad and poignant. In my opinion, the movie's ability to create such interest despite having little action, a tiny cast of characters etc is its greatest attribute, and is what makes it great.I am definitely standing by statement that Wendy and Lucy is one of the best films released in 2008. I found it exceedingly hard not to like this movie, and also found it difficult to find any major/consistent flaws. It's unfortunate that not many people have seen this film (yet), but there are still a few places where it's to be released. Hopefully in the next few months, Wendy and Lucy will be recognised more, and more people can experience the charm of this film.
Sometimes the simplest stories are the most effecting and the simplest characters are the most endearing
posted on 29 May 2009Sometimes the simplest stories are the most effecting and the simplest characters are the most endearing. Wendy and Lucy is a perfect example of this. When discussing this film however one must praise Michelle Williams. Before she even utters a word with her body movement and her facial features we get a sense of who Wendy is. We have seen this character before and we know her. Wendy is a simple girl with a simple purpose but Michelle Williams gives her the grace and kindness that makes her seem real and is all the more gut wrenching when things start crashing down around her. Most actresses her age with her resume would scoff at the idea of playing such a simple and expressionless character who hasn't showered for days and wears cut off brown pants and an unflattering blue sweatshirt but she breathes life into Wendy and adds an extra dimension to her. Of course a great performance would be wasted without a narrative for Wendy.As the film unfolds the narrative is quite simplistic. Wendy is stuck in a small town in Oregon on her way to Alaska and wants to get on her way as fast as possible before her money runs out. There however are events that will unfold that prevent this from happening. There is little surprise and in fact the narrative is quite predictable with most events foreshadowed. As these events unfold however they are still impactful and meaningful because Wendy does not see them coming. As simplistic as this narrative may be there is complexity to it in the form of political commentary on small town America and how the people that live there are struggling. Wendy herself is fleeing Indiana living in her car and managing a small sum of money to go to the promise land of Alaska since they are hiring. The town is suffering from the closing of a mill with few jobs and is inhabited by many disenfranchised individuals. While this film could be fixated on these points Kelly Reichardt has crafted them very subtlety into the character and the setting. Characters don't stand around saying small own America is dying, but we can easily pick this up from the plot and the visuals of a broken down town with many closed business and downtrodden individuals. Usually films of this type heap on background but instead there are only a few scenes to decipher Wendy's story and motivation.The soundtrack for this film is Wendy humming quietly to herself which when employed help foster a sense of intimacy. Kelly Reichardt shoots the film with a naturalistic feel with a steady and fluid motion of the camera. There are many long takes with tracking shots as the camera follows Wendy as she walks around this town but this is contrasted with close ups where the camera gets in tight to see the expressions on Wendy's face. There is only natural light used and most of the scenes take place out doors with wind blowing through Wendy's hair and building being nothing more than a backdrop. All of these aspects together create a sense of intimacy with Wendy. Wendy and Lucy shows us that a great film really only needs a honest and meaningful connection to a character through narrative, acting and mise-en-scène.
Exceedingly long 80 minute movie.
posted on 29 May 2009Yes, this film including 5 minutes of credits is only 80 minutes long. It is twice as long as it should be. It would have been a nice 3 reel short subject & not a full length bore.That being said, I will say the Michelle Williams is great in a very unlikable role.. Since no other cast member had a major role, the entire film falls on Michelle's (Wendy) character, Since I felt nothing for her & could care less about her,there was nothing else to really like about the film. The dog (Lucy) is cute , but is missing for half the film & really does nothing.As I said Michele was great as being an unlikeable person. & that is it.This is a very low budget film, It cost about $200,000. to make & made way over $ 800,000 in USA rentals alone.In closing, & to be fair I have to admit I am not a dog lover, I saw the movie mainly because of the star.Ratings: ** (out of 4) 54 points (out of 100) IMDb 4 (out of 10)
Your son is a real hero … Wendy and Lucy
posted on 25 May 2009The critic's darling Wendy and Lucy has a powerful performance at its center courtesy of Michelle Williams, however, to me, it doesn't have very much else going for it. For the most part, I was absolutely bored and pretty much uncaring about what would happen. Is it some masterpiece of minimalism? Does it capture the turmoil and strife of a down-on-her-luck woman trying desperately to restart her life while constantly being knocked down by the fates? Perhaps, but do I care? Not really. Our lead ends the film right at the point in which she began it, in Oregon, en route to Alaska, without a car. Has she evolved? Has her situation been bettered or worsened? No and no. This film is a slice of life picture that comes full circle in a very short 80 minutes, taking us for a ride that inevitably goes nowhere. It's a shame too because Williams is fantastic, I just wish there was a story to make her hard work meaningful.The simple story deals with Wendy and her dog Lucy on a journey to Alaska in search of work to make some much needed money. Starting from Indiana, they have made it as far as Oregon where their car finally breaks down in a Walgreens parking lot. With little money, no place to stay, and the closest garage closed for the day, Wendy decides to try her luck shoplifting in order to feed herself and her companion. That idea won't work, though, and after spending an eternity in jail—getting fingerprinted and fined—she returns to Jack's grocery to find Lucy gone. The rest of the film then pits her against the world as she looks for her friend, tries to get her car repaired, and attempts to find a safe place to spend the night … all of which lead to tragic results on her existential journey. Repeatedly stepped on and beaten by bad luck and ill fate, you have to at least give her credit for never giving up. Despite the tears and the desperation, Wendy does her best to stay composed, meeting a couple kind souls on the way, and allow herself to truck on to a hopefully brighter future.With plenty of dead air moments, devoid of speech, and its fair share of long takes that show pretty much the same activity over and over again, you can't fault the movie's realism. It's a very cinema verite style, depicting real time events in an artistic way. Carefully composed and deliberately paced, Wendy and Lucy does its best to feel as though it's a document of her life for these three dreadful days out west, but that authenticity does not always equal entertainment. You feel for Wendy—that is for sure—yet you also start to wonder why you even care. I respect the fact that she is attempting to survive by herself, without help, but did she have to do so this recklessly? Couldn't she have worked a bit at a fast food place, making some cash and making sure her car was in good enough shape to make it all the way to Alaska? Why must she have just gone out and hoped for the best? Without any background or reason for her behavior, we will never know these answers. Instead we are expected to accept the fact that she is there, this string of bad luck happened, and we must sit and see how it all works out. However, when all is said and done, we are left with the exact same questions we had when it began. Nothing is clarified and we still have no idea how the journey is going to end.But I guess we aren't supposed to really know. This film seems to be a showcase for mood and life with its crazy ebbs and flows and how one overcomes it all. Wendy meets her fair share of jerks and people who mean well, but can't look at the big picture. She also finds a few kind souls that do their job with enough care and tact to realize a troubled girl when they see one, helping as they can without breaking their own backs or patronizing the recipient. As a result we are given a couple nice performances from Will Patton and Wally Dalton. Patton plays the mechanic that seems to know his job and realizes that he can make a living without screwing his customers. He gives the facts plain and simple yet with a human touch to show his sympathy and willingness to help despite the fact that he won't turn himself into a charity. As for Dalton, his security guard watching over Walgreens and in effect Wendy herself, he is the heart of the entire film. A literal guardian angel, he who begins the bad luck by waking her up to move her car, thus discovering it has died, soon becomes her greatest ally in finding a way to get out of Oregon and continue her migration north.With all that, those roles that stand out and the story that falls flat as it seeps so far to the background it becomes non-existent, it is Michelle Williams that makes the movie worth checking out. Her strength and vulnerability is on display for the duration, constantly battling each other as her courage is tested multiple times. This is a girl that can take care of herself yet still needs a companion like her dog Lucy to survive what life throws at her. When that small piece of love is taken from her, she is unable to cope with what needs to be done. Never a woman in need of a handout, Williams' Wendy is a transient being in search of meaning for her life. I truly hope she finds it, I'm just sorry that this film isn't the vehicle to show whether she does.
Lost in doggone love
posted on 25 May 2009Indiana plates. Wendy Carroll(Michelle Williams) drove her last rites car all the way from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Now she's somewhere in Oregon with Indiana plates. That's a lot of miles to end up with a dead Honda and a lost dog. While most girls her age are matriculating through college, this young, enigmatic woman is driving to Alaska so she can work on a "slime line", a cannery, possibly at Northwestern Fisheries, noted for their great lodging, according to a hobo she met at the trainyard. White and, in all likelihood, middle class(she owns a car), Wendy seems headed in the wrong direction. Evanston, Illinois, after all, is a much less taxing journey. She should be lodging at a dormitory, getting an education, getting stoned, with other undergraduates, not waiting for a bottle return line to move with burnouts and castoffs, holding a plastic bag full of cans she picked up alongside the road. Self-abnegation isn't just for boys. Wendy's journey plays like the female answer to Jon Krakauer's "Into the Wild"(later filmed by Sean Penn). "Wendy and Lucy" provides fewer clues about the young woman's past than Christopher McCandless' own story of renouncement from civilized living, but she has a past, in which the audience can glean off of. When Wendy calls back home, her brother-in-law picks up, not her parents. There is no mention of parents from neither he nor Wendy's sister, which they'd undoubtedly broach as a deterrent against Wendy's not-so-subtle hints that she's strapped for cash. The Honda Accord is her last worldly possession. Without wheels, her cross-country trip stops being an adventure; without wheels, she's a tramp.But she's not that kind of tramp, a loose woman. A woman set on selling her body leaves the dog at home. In the opening scene, Wendy repeatedly throws a stick for Lucy, a retriever mix, to fetch, which the filmmaker captures from an objective distance in a slow tracking shot. It makes Wendy look small, like a little girl. The dog has the effect of downplaying her chronological age and sex appeal. In a matching scene, later on in the film, from the same objective distance, Wendy looks even more vulnerable, more so like a little girl, looking for her beloved pet, with the canine phantom haunting the frame. Those pet names for Lucy: "Lu", "Luce", "baby girl", all add to the effect of her chasity. Only in the privacy of a convenience store restroom, as Wendy lifts up her jacket, exposing some skin in the process, are we made aware of her body as a potential commodity, ripe for exploitation. After Wendy loses Lucy, she's befriended by a Walgreens security guard, who had previously chased her off his lot. The presence of that dog just might be the deciding factor for the old man when he broaches Wendy with a paternal interest, rather than an erotic one, in Wendy. Judging by the old man's heavily made-up girlfriend, he's still sexually active. The filmmaker communicates this point through this donut icon on a diner window, as Lucy makes fliers for her lost pooch on the diner's copy machine. This seemingly random image could be construed as a metaphor(a vagina) since it's introduced right after the scene, in which the guard allows Wendy to use his cell number as the contact point for the pound. Does he want something in return? As a security guard in an economically depressed town, the pay must be low, but the six measly dollars he gives Wendy when they part ways communicates a sort of frustration that she got the better of the deal. Wendy loves her dog. But she's not willing to be a whore for car repairs and dog food. Had Wendy rolled into town with a young child, she'd seem more like a woman to the security guard. Their relationship might have been more symbiotic, more adult. But since Wendy brought along her dog, the security guard probably feels that a physical relationship with this stranger would be akin to f****** his granddaughter.
Realistically tough, emotionally touching
posted on 19 May 2009There's always something special in the relationship between man and dog: Wendy and Lucy just proves this simple truth in a very simple way, but so full of deep emotional content. Only those who have experienced that communion with an animal, and a dog in particular, can understand how much you can share with and you can get back. Expect only trust and unselfish love from an animal, you'll never be disappointed, never, unlike what happens with humans, although some positive signs of human sympathy can be found in the movie (not inside the family, unfortunately).Obviously, even though we don't know, and probably we don't need to know, much about the troubles of this girl, we feel sometimes overwhelmed by the burden of her life, by the lack of job, money, food, shelter, we would like to do something to help her, like the old guardian, who is really a very enjoyable and positive character. However, there's no explicit or pedantic social criticism, what stands out is Wendy's inner dignity and her true love for Lucy.Very poor dialogue is offered, simply because too many words are not necessary, the same relationship between Wendy and Lucy is made up of glances, touches, and Wendy's face expressions can communicate more than a thousand words would do: fear, sadness, despair, but also strength, determination, and true joy, the only time she smiles when she is told Lucy has been found. Stunning acting by Michelle Williams, delicate and sensitive direction by Kelly Reichardt and tender performance by Lucy.
Simple story, powerful message.
posted on 17 May 2009Is there no more great frontier? Has time run out on those who look west to a better tomorrow? 'Wendy and Lucy' is a small movie with its scope set on a larger, subtle target. Soft-spoken but very admirable, Kelly Reichardt has crafted a touching story of one girl's endless search for her dog.On the road to Alaska in search for better economic opportunity, Wendy finds herself in a small Oregon town where its citizens seem to live on the fringe of poverty long after job-providing factories have closed up shop. Keeping track of every penny she spends, Wendy's car suddenly won't start. And after an attempt to shoplift a bit of food sidelines her, she loses track of Lucy. A dog, a companion, and her best friend.A determined Wendy searches for Lucy in every nook and cranny. Played by a quiet Michelle Williams, this is a subdued performance but a strong one. A portrait of loneliness, of heartbreak. She lives a life far from fortunate, but she holds her head high and looks to Alaska for hope. And in a small neighborhood where her situation seems to only go from bad to worse, Wendy has nobody to rely on but a friendly elderly security guard. Giving her a sense of moral support she probably is in desperate need for, we expect emotion. But staring panic in the face, Wendy remains strong. Her first moment of visible emotional anguish and vulnerability comes after a terrifying encounter in a forest in the middle of the night. A glimpse into her future as a vagabond? 'Wendy and Lucy' comes at a time when our own economy is in a state of perpetual free fall, which helps Reichardt drive her timely message home. It is these often seemingly mundane and unimportant everyday activities that may cause the film to drag, though it comes in at a slim 80 minutes. But it is these events that help the film and Williams find personality. 'Wendy and Lucy' asks us to be strong, to stick with our character. And it offers an ending that will pull at the heartstring of even the most hardened cynic. A tough, very challenging situation you and I would never want to find ourselves in. It speaks of conviction, of doing the right thing even when it's impossibly difficult.Raw but surprisingly gripping, Reichardt does much with little. It's a touching picture, a bittersweet one. 'Wendy and Lucy' may feel minor, but it's a fine piece of beautifully told cinema. A snapshot that gains more appreciation upon reflection.More reviews: rottentomatoes.com/vine/journal_view.php?journalid=219276&view=public
Best American film of 2008
posted on 29 Aug 2009"Wendy and Lucy" is the American answer to the Dardenne brothers' "Rosetta" (1999). Kelly Reichardt has fashioned together a quiet 80-minute masterpiece of cinematic naturalism, unadorned by excess words or music or plot points. Reichardt lends not only an earnest, authentic voice but also a patient ear to the mass of common citizens quietly suffering under the weight of a hundred tiny daily struggles, forever on the fringes of the American middle class -- with the dream (or what's left of it) never quite within their reach. And as for Michelle Williams....well, she is just exquisite, heartbreaking perfection.