Kelly Reichardt makes movies about underdogs
Prescient as always, movies have been preparing us for the next Great Depression. One of several independent films made recently about people struggling against an unforgiving economy and an uncaring society, director Kelly Reichardt’s Wendy and Lucy (opening January 23) may be the most likely to be remembered come Oscar time. Certainly Michelle Williams seems headed that way, with her heartbreaking performance as Wendy, a young homeless woman whose sole companion is Lucy, played by Reichardt’s dog. And if there’s any justice, Reichardt will be recognized as well.
Q: How are your relations with yourdog? Is Lucy getting an agent now?
A: No. Lucy is retired.
Q: Really? No more movies?
A: I don’t think Wendy and Lucy was that much fun for her.
Q: They should have an award...
A: They do! She won the “Palm Dog” in Cannes. She has a big diamond-studded collar.
Q: Speaking of awards, people are talking about Michelle Williams being up for an Oscar nomination. How do you feel about that?
A: I like that she is recognized. As long as I don’t have to go, it sounds great. I would love to be at home watching Michelle on my TV set. That would be really fun.
Q: Has Hollywood started calling you?
A: Oh, no. Hollywood doesn’t want me. I think the reasons these last two films [Old Joy was her previous feature] are what they are has a lot to do with how they were made. The good thing about being in your 40s and making films is that you’ve figured out the best environment for you to make films in. For me, that is working with a small apparatus, off the grid and not having too many hands in the pie. I think that the stories I’m trying to tell are best made in that type of capacity. And I’m not looking to change that.
