Review of Wendy and Lucy (2008) by Ross J — 04 Mar 2009

Part of a recent wave of low-to-no budget, realist films coming out of America, all dealing with working class characters, with money problems playing a big role in their stories. The Dardennes' work might seem like an obvious inspiration, but arriving just before the global financial meltdown, the concurrent release of "Wendy and Lucy," "Frozen River," "Ballast" and others is stunningly prescient. Unfortunately, what makes them so timely probably makes their financial success that much more difficult.

"Ballast" and "Wendy and Lucy" are among the stand-outs, but while "Ballast" had the best visuals, I thought "Wendy and Lucy" made the strongest connection. Williams deserves most of the credit - I would've had reservations casting her in what's supposed to be a gritty depiction of poverty, but Williams' familiar face is never a distraction. Her expressions look appropriately drained of life, and she spends most of the film in quiet anguish.

Sympathy only comes from people who can't do much for her, and the rest don't bother cutting her a break. In other words, you really get a sense of how alone someone can feel when they're living poor or living with so little. The film does a fantastic job of detailing this, whether it's a bag boy's callous self-righteousness or the way she's lived so long in poverty that it never occurs to Wendy that a phone call is virtually a costless favor in a cell-phone dominated society.

"Frozen River" and "Ballast" had stories spiked with shocking crimes and lurid melodrama, but "Wendy and Lucy" is mundane, down-to-earth and relatable. (Anyone who's relied on a beat-up car for their daily commute will understand what it's like when your livelihood is at the mercy of an unforgiving mechanic.) Occasionally, it feels too plain in its presentation, but given the story and these lean times, the unadorned approach suits it subject.