Review of Wendy and Lucy (2008) by Shane L — 26 Dec 2009

Wendy and Lucy is clearly a film which defies pop sensibilities, although in that way it is a bit of a shame. What the film does is clearly portray a slice of life for someone who just might be any of us. However, the pace of the film is a bit off-putting: itâ??s not that nothing happens, but itâ??s certainly true to say that not much happens. Still, always bubbling just under the surface is the intensity of emotion that we all possess. While I was waiting for some sort of explosion â?? some sort of emotional exclamation mark â?? it became clear that halfway through this was not going to happen. In its place, instead, is the slow unfolding of life; the difficulty of living, the stress of the ordinary.

Of particular note is the excellent soundtrack, consisting of the monotonous and ever-present hum of traffic and the voice of the trains, which range from a distant whisper to a thunderous roar that all but blocks out the dialogue. This sound is really the emotional heartbeat of the film â?? the only real indication we get (for the most part) of Wendyâ??s own turmoil and despair. Michelle Williams turns in a wonderful performance, consistently avoiding the temptation to overact, to infuse the film with any sense of artificial drama. Indeed, the film speaks for itself both truthfully and simply.

While not a simple film to watch, it is such a gently and beautifully crafted work that it is certainly a piece of cinema that any serious lover of the art should see.