The film follows the life of a woman who drifts aimlessly in Pennsylvania following her divorce from her husband as well as losing two kids where she would later meet various men including a robber in Mr. Dennis who take her around the state for his next big scheme. It is a film that plays into a woman who doesn’t have a lot going for her as she lives in the rural coal regions in Pennsylvania where jobs aren’t available for her while is also not good at those jobs at well. Barbara Loden’s screenplay, with minor contributions from Elia Kazan, is quite loose as it doesn’t have much of a plot as it follows the titular character who wanders around as she is late to her court case relating to her husband and their children while would have little money in her pocket as she would sleep around with men including a traveling salesman. Late one night, she walks into a bar that is closed where she meets Mr. Dennis who has robbed the bar as she goes along with him through the state where she learns about what he does. Though she is reluctant to help him in his criminal activities, he does make her feel important despite initially being frustrated and annoyed by her as he comes up with a plan where she would prove herself to be an asset.
Loden’s direction is largely straightforward in its overall presentation as it is shot largely in Pennsylvania with additional locations in Connecticut and on 16mm film. Through the usage of hand-held cameras as well as shooting on location with available light, Loden maintains this sense of realism while using wide and medium shots to play into these locations where Wanda is often alone and feeling out of place. Even as she is someone that doesn’t have much money and as well as the fact that she isn’t a responsible parent and tends to drift around. Loden also uses close-ups and medium shots to play into Wanda’s interaction with others including Mr. Dennis as their relationship is an odd one as he would be abusive towards her. Yet, Mr. Dennis would realize her value as she would get things for him while would also help him be more presentable while they’re on the road.
Loden’s direction also has this sense of improvisation in the way some scenes are filmed as it adds to this uncertainty while also using its minimal $115,000 budget to great use. Even as she also plays into the suspense as it plays into Mr. Dennis’ own plans and how Wanda would be involved as Loden also showcases some somber moments in Mr. Dennis where they go to Holy Land USA in Waterbury, Connecticut where Mr. Dennis visits his father (Charles Dosinan) while Wanda visits the theme park. The film’s third act is about a bank robbery that Mr. Dennis is planning as he thinks of everything yet it is Wanda who would take action early on as it would be this brief moment where Wanda feels really appreciated by someone. Still, Loden doesn’t go for anything conventional as she grounds the film in reality as it relates to everything Wanda is as well as the fact that much of the things she encounters in her life is temporary. Overall, Loden crafts a harrowing yet vibrant film about a woman’s aimlessness that has her hooking up with a bank robber.
Cinematographer/editor Nicholas T. Proferes does brilliant work with both film’s cinematography and editing as the available light adds to the film’s striking visuals including some scenes at night while Proferes’ editing is straightforward in terms of its suspense and drama. Sound editor Harvey Greenstein and sound mixer Dick Voriseck, along with additional work from Lars Hedman, do excellent work in the sound in capturing many of the sounds captured on location as well as the way music and other sounds are heard on a location.
The film’s wonderful ensemble cast features notable small roles from Charles Dosinan as Mr. Dennis’ father, M.L. Kennedy as a judge to look over Wanda’s case, Jerome Thier as Wanda’s husband, Maria Thier as Wanda’s husband’s girlfriend, Dorothy Shupenes as Wanda’s sister, Peter Shupenes as Wanda’s brother-in-law, Jack Ford as a bank manager Mr. Dennis targeting, Arnold Kanig as a traveling salesman Wanda sleeps with, Frank Jourdano as a soldier Wanda meets late in the film, and Valerie Mamches as a young woman at a roadhouse that Wanda meets towards the end of the film. Michael Higgins is amazing as Mr. Norman Dennis as a bank robber who reluctantly takes Wanda as a companion while trying to figure things out where he later sees the value that Wanda brings to him. Finally, there’s Barbara Loden in a phenomenal performance as the titular character as this aimless woman who is incapable of being responsible as she finds herself in some unique situations as she tries to make herself useful where she finds fulfillment in being with Mr. Dennis as it is a great performance from Loden.
Wanda is a tremendous film from Barbara Loden. Featuring a compelling story of a woman trying to find herself and her worth as well as its gritty yet wondrous visuals, emphasis on realism, and top-notch performances from Loden and Michael Higgins. It is a film that follows a woman with not much options in her life while trying to find something that can give her some meaning. In the end, Wanda is a spectacular film from Barbara Loden.
© thevoid99 2024
I haven't heard of this one. It sounds like it's tough to sit through, but I'm intrigued.
ReplyDelete@Brittani-It isn't an easy film to watch but it is something that everyone needs to see as it is considered a seminal film for many as you would see where Kelly Reichardt and other neo-realist filmmakers that came by later on would get their ideas. I chose it because it was on the all-time list by Sight & Sound of the greatest films ever made.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this film or Barbara Loden, but wow, interesting that Elia Kazan contributed to the script!
ReplyDelete@Ruth-This was the only feature film she made as she was married to Kazan at that time until her death of cancer in 1982 I think. It didn't really do much back then but it was a big hit in Europe as Kazan was happy to know that the film found its audience there as he only came up with an idea and a scenario only for Loden to make it her own.
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