Wendy and Lucy.

If you’ve ever had a dog, this movie will upset you.

It was nominated, along with The Wrestler, Rachel Getting Married, Frozen River and Ballast for the Independent Spirit Award for best picture.  Having seen it just last night, I’ve got to agree with the sentiment.  While The Wrestler won, that picture has Darren Aronofsky and Mickey Rourke behind its name.  Wendy and Lucy was produced by Todd Haynes.  Have you heard of him?

My plug for Haynes – he hit the film biz a little too late (the 70s were more apt to his style), but definitely belongs among the auteurs from the 80s.  He’s responsible for Poison, Safe, Velvet Goldmine, Far From Heaven and I’m Not There (the film about Bob Dylan).  If none of those films ring a bell, they should.  As an openly gay filmmaker, he has been touted as one of the preeminent voices in the “queer cinema” movement.  His first film, Superstar, used Barbie dolls instead of actors to tell the story of Karen Carpenter (who died of anorexia in 1983, when she was 32).   It stirred up controversy and due to legal issues with the music (she was half of the music duo The Carpenters) exists only on the internet.

Take a look if you have the time.  It’s a bit disturbing.

But anyhow, he obviously believed in W&L, and for good reason.  The film touches on some tender issues without being overly political or arrogant.  It has the pacing of a Van Sant film and the personality of Thomas McCarthy.  It is, like many films, a blip in the life of its characters, but we still follow the journey without reservation. 

It is a movie about people.  Not to say it doesn’t have a message, but when the message consumes the movie (I’m looking at you, Doubt), it becomes about something else entirely. 

So often these days we are taken for rides that entertain rather than involve.  It’s nice to see a film that does both.  At only 80 minutes, the film doesn’t ask for much of your time, so check it out if you have the chance.  I’d be interested to see what people think, especially those of you who aren’t often exposed to the world of independent cinema.

This movie got me all emotional, but then again, I’ve had a dog that looks and acts almost exactly like Lucy, so it may be more of a personal thing.  Let me know!

Peace.