Review of Wendy and Lucy (2008) by Andrew E — 24 Mar 2009

Wendy and Lucy is, quite simply, the story of a homeless woman, Wendy (Michelle Williams), who loses her dog, Lucy, whilst on her way to find work in Alaska. Opening with a extended tracking shot of the two titular characters partaking in a game of fetch, we are immediately drawn into their world, straining to make them out as they are barely visible through passing trees and shrubs.

We are not given any background information about Wendy, apart from a brief phone call to a sister who doesn't seem too close or enthused about her. However, this does not hinder our empathy or understanding of her character. Due to Michelle Williams' powerful performance and the Neo-realist stylings of the direction, cinematography, locale and supporting actors, we are drawn completely into Wendy's predicament. When she realises she has lost Lucy, who appears to be her only friend in the world, we are completely with her in her panic and despair. Wandering with Wendy as her situation becomes more and more hopeless amidst grey skys and droll supermarkets, there is a sense of familiarity in her situation in that it is both mundane and desperate, much like suburban life itself.

Wendy is an outsider and we are left not knowing exactly how her journey ends. But that's okay. In the end, how many of us really know where we are going and where we'll end up?