Wendy and Lucy - The Atomisation of American Society

Kelly Reichardt's Wendy and Lucy first appears to be a fable like story of America's silent underclass, but it also presents a surprisingly deconstructionist view of American social attitudes.
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[@cvestick]

I've been really stricken with an awe and wonder about how I can see social atomization play out among interactions with coworkers, neighbors, really anyone and its so strange to see people acting with the assumption that they are (and should be) alone Thanks for the analysis of something I've never seen. Good video!!

[@wajman]

Great video. I recently wrote a paper about how the British Empire managed to end the goliath of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The research concludes that the change did not come from heroic abolitionists but from cold economic changes (industrialization, soil depletion, etc, disease, etc.). I think society will come to a similar change against the goliath of late-stage capitalism. Once everyone has universal basic income, there will be more reason to care for each other on this random blue marble. As conscious individuals, the only solution is to work hard and wait till better days will come - for even the abolitionist could not imagine a non-slavery world.

[@scottblackburn2969]

No the opposite

[@bawwsadface]

nicely thorough and pointed analysis, well done. we were shown this film in an introductory course during my first year at film school over a decade ago. the movie made me cry back then and has stuck with me since. in recent years i've come to understand it as emblematic of america post recession, even tho the recession was very freshly happening when it came out. the harsh individualism of american society breeds a type of loneliness that has only grown with the slow decay of our culture at the hands of economic forces larger than ourselves. the cruelty in how people are treated as a reflection of ideological frameworks nurtured under those oppressive systems really shines through in this movie for me. and it accurately depicts what navigating the fringes of that kind of society feels like and how disposable and disrespected one can feel living in poverty. spot on video, cheers

[@diegoinjapan]

You are amazing at reviewing! I just watched this today and haven’t had time to think so analytically yet!

[@noname-uy6jh]

Great essay!!!

[@yesrelationthesequel]

love this!

[@unite_america_movement]

If you enjoyed this you should check out the panel discussion we put out recently on social atomization, it can be found through our channel!

[@2ammar616]

Thanks

[@oliviabrocklehurst6442]

that was great!

[@bevanbuckwheatshea5520]

Love the dog.

[@nataliamustard]

bro i luv this

[@kindahotandnerd]

Wow

[@edm5378]

When you think of the soul & innards of white feminism, the Williams-Reichardt duo certainly tops the list. Chiefly through Williams' manner of industry climb.

[@maipai101]

So this whole movie is about a white woman living similar to a poor black experience.

[@alex444000]

Looks like a correct symptom but a wrong diagnosis. The protagonist is in a state where she has no relationships of trust with people, and expects for acts of mercy from strangers. In the modern society, we live in a close proximity to much more people than we can possibly form personal relationship with, so we can't invest in personally getting to know everyone we come across in our daily dealings. I don't see any connection to capitalism or feudalism or exploitation, in the reality of many people living together it's just not possible to trust strangers.

[@CloudShepherd]

Yeah, atomization is a problem but this movie portrays the main character as an innocent victim with no background as to how she ended up homeless and alone. Had she abandoned her family or did they abandon her? Does she really expect everyone she meets to pity her or does she plan to coast off the goodwill of others for the rest of her life? Was she not able to find any peers of her own or any kind of community to find a place in? Minimalism seems to work against this movie rather than strengthen its message.

[@paulclissold1525]

@@CloudShepherd can we get a pronouncement of guilt simple mercy is wasted on fellow americants.

[@paulclissold1525]

If only lucy lived in a christian country. Her fault.

[@carlh.h.2242]

Not sure if you’re being sarcastic? We live in a modern secular managerial “progressive” state; we don’t live in anything resembling a Christian country at all.

[@paulclissold1525]

@@carlh.h.2242 hallelujah please check with your local gun totin republican before you say that. Among the western democracies your mob are a laughing stock. Please stop sending us creflo a dollar too pretty please.

[@harryk316]

you're kidding, right? the most evil person in the entire film, the stockboy, was wearing a cross and insisted that the police be called cause Wendy shoplifted a couple cans of dog food...this was Washington County, Oregon, definitely on the far side from Portland, rural people, definitely Christian