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Writer's pictureJames Rutherford

'Wendy and Lucy': A Poignant Drama About a Young Woman and Her Dog Subsisting on the Margins of Society


Movie poster for Wendy and Lucy

Wendy and Lucy is a poignant independent drama that tells the story of Wendy (Michelle Williams), a young woman traveling to Alaska with her dog Lucy in search of work. Their journey is interrupted when their car breaks down in a small Oregon town, leaving Wendy stranded and struggling to find the money for repairs.


The storyline captures Wendy's quiet desperation after she loses Lucy at a supermarket while attempting to steal dog food. Frantic to locate her beloved companion, she faces repeated setbacks while encountering varying degrees of kindness and indifference from strangers. Through these experiences, the film explores themes of poverty, loneliness, and the complexities of human resilience.


Adapted by John Raymond from his own short story "Train Choir" and directed by Kelly Reichardt (Old Joy, Showing Up), Wendy and Lucy is a simple yet affecting depiction of adversity and hardship. Michelle Williams delivers a heartbreaking performance as Wendy, conveying a striking depth of emotion despite her sparse dialogue. Minimalist and suffused with stark realism, Reichardt's film is a uniquely intimate and affecting portrait of life on the margins of society.


 

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