MovieChat Forums > Certain Women (2017) Discussion > Possibly my favourite Reichardt film to ...

Possibly my favourite Reichardt film to date

posted 8 years ago by expiry223
9 replies | jump to latest

Finally got to see this, and it's possible my favourite film from the director so far (the other one for me is Wendy and Lucy, which seems to be a hit or miss for people).

Great, steady directing, slow pace, but generally just enough there to keep you interested. Plus some good acting. The third act especially is so beautiful, but sad.

The only negative is I'm not sure how the other segments will hold up over repeated viewings, at least compared to the third one, although there is a lot to like there too.

Has anyone else seen it now? What did you think?

[–] crostonc 8 years ago

I saw it at TIFF. I thought it was magnificent. I'm not sure I would call it my favorite Reichardt film though. If I had to say I would put this and Old Joy as the top Reichardt films. I only recently discovered her filmography and I watched everything in rapid succession. The film is grandly beautiful and like you said the third act in particular is just wonderful and heart wrenching.

[–] MelancholyPonyAndTheCircusBoy 8 years ago

I really liked it, though I'm not sure how I felt after watching it. The stories drift into each other so slowly, it's beautiful in a going nowhere sought of way. I definitely want to watch again some day.

(Done with fish.)

[–] garko-1 8 years ago

I loved it. It's obviously not for the multiplex herd, but for those open to its portrait of its Montana setting (as filtered through the three female protagonists), it's visual poetry The common theme, on one level, seems to be the futility of women asserting themselves and coming to a certain resolve about it. This is why all the segments work together. If the movie were just the final narrative, then you'd merely end up with an unrequited female version of Brokeback Mountain. But this movie is about place and about three women making their places in it. I keep referring to three women and not four because the final segment is really about Jamie and not about Beth.

[–] crostonc 8 years ago

Yes. I completely agree with you. The film so patiently shows the female experience and portrays its themes, performances, and setting in such a rewarding and realistic way. Kelly Reichardt is one of the best American directors working today. Showing Americana how it is.

[–] garko-1 8 years ago

For reasons that I'm still trying to figure out, Reichardt reminds me of my favorite Japanese director, Yasujiro Ozu. Ozu is famous for what are called "pillow shots," or contemplative shots of a setting detail that bookend scenes. Reichardt does the same thing (she was also the editor on "Certain Women"), but where Ozu rarely moved his camera, Reichardt will set the camera on a detail and a character will move into the frame; in a way, equating character and setting. But the comparisons go beyond just technique. There's also a sensibility about human experience. My hope is that she continues to find funding to make her films. Whether or not she attains the audience she deserves is something that future generations will determine.

[–] expiry223 8 years ago

You all have good points about the film, it's great reading. Nice to see others enjoyed the film and the themes as much as I did!

[–] dwnadine 7 years ago

Ozu! Yes, very apt reference.

[–] 7 years ago

[deleted]

[–] squall6789 7 years ago

Wendy and Lucy is still my favourite but this might be number 2. The first story, Laura's, was the only downside. Something about it felt a little weird, like a Coen brother's film. The guy's complete over-reaction and the incompetent police dude didn't feel grounded enough for the feeling of the film.

I dunno, maybe that *beep* happens more in the U.S. than we hear about in the rest of the world.