CINEMA: Wendy and Lucy

Here’s a new twist on the one boy and his dog genre – one girl and her mutt.

Wendy (Michelle Williams with cute pixie haircut) is driving across country with her dog Lucy. She is on her way to Alaska to work in the fish canning factories in order to earn some much-needed cash. With her expenses worked out to the last cent, Wendy can’t afford to stay in motels and when her car breaks down she finds her money won’t stretch to the repairs it needs. However, her decision to shoplift in order to feed Lucy proves disastrous, leading to a fine and to her losing Lucy. Even with the help of a friendly security guard (Walter Dalton) Wendy can see no way of getting to Alaska on her existing funds and when she eventually finds Lucy she must make a heart-breaking decision.

This is a film of long silences and extreme close-ups, which gives its few characters space to really inhabit their roles.  At times the camera lingers on Michelle Williams’ face and she doesn’t need to say anything, you can see her thoughts played out across her features. Meanwhile, Lucy (played by director Kelly Reichardt’s own dog) should get a best supporting actor award, her breezy, fun-loving nature is evident to see and Wendy’s love and affection for her are palpable.

Few movies these days can say so much while being so quiet – it’s like a little pool of poignant peace in a sea of hectic noise.       Dee Pilgrim