MovieChat Forums > Wendy and Lucy (2009) Discussion > Why this film is hugely unsatisfying

Why this film is hugely unsatisfying

posted 13 years ago by MrNautica
4 replies | jump to latest

This was my first Kelly Reichardt film and I already have a deep respect for her aesthetic and approach although I did not enjoy this one at all.

Seems like her intention was to give us as little background into Wendy as possible, and allow us to watch her struggle as we would in real life without the help of "cinema", which is nice and commendably daring. It felt very real and I was ready for something special.

But it never arrived. Looks like a lot of people were left just as frustrated and I think this is why.

This is a lonely young girl with no money, no job, no friends, and pretty soon no car and no travel companion. These are some serious questions the film raised and I wish it explored them. Instead it merely stayed on the surface, before making way for a tedious and sentimental search for her dog that instantly made me felt a little cheated.

I wanted to get to know Wendy, and I wanted to remember her. For me, this one is a wasted opportunity, but I loved Michelle Williams in this. She is so amazing in everything she's in and totally guilty of creating all the buzz and critic worship around this film.

Anyway if you enjoyed this, a lot of the Mumblecore titles would be right up your alley if you haven't dug them out already. Even the bad ones. Watching this reminds me of "The Pleasure of Being Robbed" (2008). A quiet little film with a very similar set up. Flawed in many ways, but somehow ended up a lot more intriguing and thoughtful.

[–] chrombot 12 years ago

I didn't enjoy it, but it's not a film to be enjoyed exactly. You felt cheated, and that, frankly, is your own fault. This movie did things differently, and I'm glad. We don't learn about Wendy, why do we need to? What purpose does that serve? You want to know her, well ,this movie accomplished something then. It got you interested in this character. I think this movie pulled of what it was doing very well. It showed us a person in this circumstances, and then what they did as a result. I didn't finish the movie thinking "that was really good" it doesn't invoke that type of emotion. It did make me feel "wow, that sucks" I felt bad for the character. I did feel the movie never really went anywhere, but I realized, that was the point. It just is, and simply so, because it's trying to be real and grounded and not cluttered with back story and generally, unneeded character development. We get that in so many other films, didn't need it here. If you wanted it, well, that's unfortunate, but I'm sure you'll find it in another film. I recommend "The Room"

[–] thepartydjz 11 years ago

This film isn't necessarily about Wendy, it's more of an exposure of how typical americans behave, self centered and ignorant, they care about no one but themselves.

You wanted to be satisfied, well be satisfied in knowing the truth about the united states, there is no satisfaction to be found, that is the point

[–] MrNautica 11 years ago

yeah i like your perspective on this. appreciated.

[–] seekermatt 10 years ago

it's an 'indie film'.
what do you expect.
do these things even have scripts?

but michelle williams is a good actress. a very good actress.
maybe a great actress.
i hope she manages to retain her sanity.