Dear Wendy (2005)

A young boy in a nameless, timeless American town establishes a gang of youthful misfits united in their love of guns and their code of honor.

Director:

Thomas Vinterberg

Writer:

Lars von Trier

Stars:

Jamie Bell, Alison Pill, Chris Owen

1 win & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jamie Bell	...	Dick Dandelion
Bill Pullman	...	Krugsby
Michael Angarano	...	Freddie
Danso Gordon	...	Sebastian
Novella Nelson	...	Clarabelle
Chris Owen	...	Huey
Alison Pill	...	Susan
Mark Webber	...	Stevie
Trevor Cooper	...	Dick's Dad
Matthew Géczy	...	Young Officer
William Hootkins	...	Marshall Walker
Teddy Kempner	...	Mr. Salomon
Thomas Bo Larsen	...	Customer

Storyline

DEAR WENDY is a story about the young loner Dick who lives in the poor mining town of Estherslope. When he happens upon a small handgun one day, he finds himself strangely drawn to it, despite his fervent pacifist views. Together with his newfound partner he soon convinces the other young outcasts in the town to join him in a secret club he calls The Dandies. A club based on the principals of pacifism and guns. Despite their firm belief in the most important Dandy rule of all - never draw your weapons - they soon find themselves in a predicament where they realise that rules are made to be broken.

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Plot Keywords:

pacifist | morgue | sword | ferris wheel | hoist | 

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Taglines:

One shot is all it takes.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

In Lars von Trier's script, the main characters were in their 20s. Director Thomas Vinterberg decided to change it, so they became children instead. Lars von Trier later stated that he thought the age change was a brilliant idea.

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Quotes

Dick Dandelion: The Regulations are, that the most important thing for a Dandy is never to show off his partner, whatever the provocation. We carry them as moral supports. And that's the most important thing. They may be carried, but never brandished. That would be the worst thing of all.
[contiunes as voice-over narrative]
Dick Dandelion: Not one of us were in doubt about the most important thing of all. The reason why our partners could only be fired in the darkness of the old mine and could never be exposed to full light and...

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Connections

Featured in Beyond Clueless (2014)

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Soundtracks

A Thousand Miles
Written by Andy West
Courtesy of Carlin Music, United Kingdom

User Reviews

Lush and surprising

I went into this film extremely hesitant. I don't know Vinterberg well, but I do know there isn't much about Lars that I like at all. Top that with a subject matter that I'm rather sensitive about as well. But the film was beautifully filmed and the performances were enjoyable. I enjoyed all of it. I disagree with critics who say the film attacked America or had a heavy-hitting message in it. I think it's subtler than that. For me it was the big surprise of Sundance 05. Rich and fun. In the script, the characters were twice as old as those in the film, and I think Vinterberg made a wise choice in changing that. What is powerful in a teenager can look dorky in a 30-something.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Spain]

Country:

Denmark France Germany UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 February 2005 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

Dear Wendy

Filming Locations:

North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Box Office

Budget:

DKK50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$8,222, 25 September 2005

Gross USA:

$23,106

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$607,229

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lucky Punch, Nimbus Film Productions, Zentropa Entertainments

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min 102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1