I hope to occasionally use this space is to highlight frames that, for thematic and aesthetic reasons, feel particularly striking. Hopefully I can provide a sentence or two of context for the frame but avoid spoiling for film for the uninitiated.
Kelly Reichardt's 2008 film, Wendy and Lucy, introduces its two title characters in the above tracking shot. Wendy (Michelle Williams) and her dog, Lucy, walk into the shot from just left of frame. Reichardt follows them as they walk and play with a stick together. Aside from its initial beauty, this shot stands out because of the happiness it portrays. If there is a common theme to the frames chosen for this post, it's "on the outside looking in." Wendy spends much of the film stalled, looking on as society chugs along, oblivious to her plight.
Wendy at a pay phone. Calling her sister and brother-in-law, "just to talk." During her call, we hear the exterior sounds of cars passing by.
Wendy after setting up camp for the night, watching a train passing by.
Wendy, late in the film, looking through a fence.
