On her way to stardom, Williams had familiarized herself with the breath of independent cinema, along with Reichardt’s previous two features, which is exactly what drew her to the project. To this day, she’s happily taken aback when folks compliment her on her “Wendy and Lucy” performance:
“It’s still maybe the movie that when people come up to me and they say that they love ‘Wendy and Lucy,’ it has a really special place in my heart because you don’t really make a movie like that thinking really anybody’s gonna see it. You’re really just kind of doing it for yourself. And it really, I think, announced Kelly as the filmmaker that she is.”
The commonality within all of Reichardt’s work is this aching feeling of living in the moment. The scene where Wendy is caught shoplifting dog food in a local supermarket is not filtered with a harrowing score or an intense close-up, but the brutally quiet dread of a desperate woman trapped in the company of those who value policy over humanity. A traveler with so little money to her name as is, finds herself pushed back even further. She doesn’t break down, but horrifically accepts the hand she’s been dealt because she’s used to it. That’s one of many reasons why Williams’ performance continues to be so revered.
Reichardt’s filmography may not consist of moneymakers, but their worth, especially with Williams in the front seat, is richer than any box office total. It’s no wonder the pair have only continued to work together with “Meek’s Cutoff,” “Certain Women,” and the upcoming “Showing Up.”
“Wendy and Lucy” is currently streaming on Peacock, Tubi, and Kanopy.