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Minimalism 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.
score 9/10
leumas3765 11 January 2009
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw2005675/ |
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29-11-2019 05:36:20