Review of Wanda (1990) by Stella D — 27 Dec 2011
A very bleak and yet very intriguing debut for writer/director/ lead actress barbara loden, who was at the time elia kazan's wife. the film couldn't be more different in style from kazan's work; it's as minimalist as can be, shot in cinema verite style with improvised dialogue.
the title character has no direction in life and seemingly wanders from one bad situation to another. at first I was frustrated with her and her inane actions but as the film went on I became more and more anxious for her welfare, especially after she falls in with a criminal who bullies her into assisting him in a bank robbery.
loden has said she wanted to make 'bonnie and clyde' without the romanticism and that, coming from an impoverished background, she may well have ended up this way herself. kudos for her honesty and determination in getting this film made, with little to no support from her husband.
and it's a pity she never made another film; she died of breast cancer in 1980.
This review of Wanda (1990) was written by Stella D on 27 Dec 2011.
Wanda has generally received very positive reviews.
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