Wendy and Lucy (2008)

Over the summer, a series of unfortunate happening triggers a financial crisis for a young woman and she soon finds her life falling apart.

Director:

Kelly Reichardt

Writers:

Jonathan Raymond (screenplay by) (as Jon Raymond), Kelly Reichardt (screenplay by)

Stars:

Michelle Williams, Lucy, David Koppell

9 wins & 16 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michelle Williams	...	Wendy
Lucy	...	Lucy the Dog
David Koppell	...	Kid by Fire
Max Clement	...	Kid by Fire
Sid Shanley	...	Kid by Fire
Dave Hubner	...	Kid by Fire
Michelle Worthey	...	Sadie
Will Oldham	...	Icky
Wally Dalton	...	Security Guard (as Walter Dalton)
Roger D. Faires	...	Recycler in Wheelchair (as Roger Faires)
Boggs Johnson	...	Recycling Man
Tanya Smith	...	Grocery Checker
Michael Brophy	...	Grocery Store Stocker
John Robinson	...	Andy
John Breen	...	Mr. Hunt

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

pantyhose | crying | hand to mouth | car won't start | sadness | 

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Taglines:

On the long road, friendship is everything.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The fourth film written and directed by Kelly Reichardt.

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Quotes

Andy: [after catching her for shoplifting] The food is not the issue. It's about setting an example, right?
Wendy: Sir, I'm not from around here. I can't be an example.

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Connections

Referenced in At the Movies: Venice Film Festival 2010 (2010)

User Reviews

Essential viewing, but lacking greatness

As much as I think this film is both memorable and worth seeing, there were a few too many missing elements and underdeveloped story parts. In some ways, it ends up coming off as the "don't leave home" version of a "don't do drugs" film for teens.

The biggest complement I can give this film is that the realism of views, and in some cases beauty, sticks with you. That has to do almost entirely because of how well it's filmed, the imagery it captures. To the actors' credit, everyone is believable and there are no cliché characters.

Another interesting aspect of the film is the soundtrack - or essentially the lack thereof. It's integrated into the film, fits the mood of the story, and very memorable.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 March 2009 (UK)

Also Known As:

Train Choir

Filming Locations:

Oregon, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$200,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$18,218, 14 December 2008

Gross USA:

$865,695

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,192,995

Company Credits

Production Co:

Field Guide Films, Film Science, Glass Eye Pix

Technical Specs

Runtime:

80 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1