Wendy and Lucy (2008)

Wendy and Lucy: Directed by Kelly Reichardt. With Michelle Williams, Lucy, David Koppell, Max Clement. Over the summer, a series of unfortunate happening triggers a financial crisis for a young woman and she soon finds her life falling apart.

“Kelly Reichardtu0026#39;s (u0026quot;Old Joyu0026quot;) new film holds our interest for its 80 running minutes thanks to Michelle Williamsu0026#39;s captivating performance.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe story of Wendy (Williams), who hits the road with her dog Lucy intending to get to Alaska and start a new life, is too vague and minimalist to work as a feature. As a character study, itu0026#39;s underwritten; as a social commentary on our current crisis, itu0026#39;s too shallow and naïve. Had Reichardt gone deeper into any of these directions, her movie would be much more interesting; the way it is, it feels like one of those shorts that went on for too long when they couldu0026#39;ve been more concise. Maverick filmmaker Todd Haynes (u0026quot;Velvet Goldmineu0026quot;, u0026quot;Far from Heavenu0026quot;, u0026quot;Iu0026#39;m Not There.u0026quot;) and the promising Phil Morrison (director of the sublime u0026quot;Junebugu0026quot;) are some of the movieu0026#39;s producers, which shows Reichardt has her own admirers. Letu0026#39;s just hope that, next time, she finishes her job. 5.5/10.”