Dear Wendy (2005)

Directed by Thomas Vinterberg (The Celebration) and written by Lars von Trier (Dogville) Dear Wendy is an audacious and stylish exploration of guns and violence in America. When a young loner named Dick (Jamie Bell) discovers a vintage handgun he finds himself strangely drawn to it in spite of his pacifist views. Soon he forms a secret club with other misfits in his town who collect and revere antique guns and refer to themselves as "The Dandies." But despite their firm belief in the most important Dandy rule of all - "never draw your weapons" - they eventually discover that some rules are meant to be broken. System Requirements:Running Time 105 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 720917547824 Manufacturer No: FLV5478 Product Description

Sick and evil

In general I do not write reviews of bad films but this one is so sick and evil I feel I need to warn people about it. Basically it describes how a group of misfit teenagers form a gang centered around their love affairs with firearms. I'm not using the word "love affair" here metaphorically either. Maybe it was intended as some sort of parable but its moral values are so confused and corrupted it is difficult to see any good coming of it. I couldn't watch the final predictable bloodbath, I just felt too nauseous. Do not watch this pretentious, awful film. Above all do not let any children see it. December 11, 2007

An Unconventional Parable About America's Gun Obsession Is A Complete Misfire

I was so excited to get caught up with "Dear Wendy," a film by two major filmmakers who I have enjoyed in the past. Bringing together writer Lars von Trier and director Thomas Vinterberg to tell a parable about a serious topic like guns sounded like a great idea. Vinterberg directed one of my all time favorite tales of family dysfunction, "The Celebration," while von Trier is responsible for two films that I regard as absolutely brilliant (although they are loathed by many)--"Dogville" and "Dancer in the Dark." "Dear Wendy," at first glance, would seem to have much in common with von Trier's other works--particularly "Dogville." That film eschewed conventional storytelling devices and employed a theatricality, an artificialness, to achieve a higher and profound result. Written in the same style, however, "Dear Wendy" lacks the dramatic heft and simply comes across as theatrical and artificial.

"Dear Wendy" is penned as a fable and an indictment of America's obsession with firearms. Wendy, in this case, is a pistol that is beloved by the main protagonist played by Jamie Bell. I have admired Bell in his challenging film choices and I can see why this film appealed to his sensibilities as an actor. Ultimately, though, the awkward script provides little chance for any of the actors to connect with the material in a relevant or believable way. The film is narrated in a love letter written by Bell to his gun and is one of the most stilted and pretentious voice-overs you're likely to encounter. Now, I realize this story is not meant to be believable--it's a parable. While I admire filmmakers with a unique vision willing to work against expectations, "Dear Wendy" ends up being so preposterous and so heavy handed that I lost all good will I might otherwise have had for this bizarre picture.

Set in a small unnamed mining town, Bell falls in love with a gun. Joining forces with other teenaged misfits, they form a club called the "Dandies." These kids proclaim themselves to be pacifists that love guns. In a series of over-the-top rituals, they marry their weapons and parade around town in costume. Every moment in "Dear Wendy" is done in such excess, it becomes increasingly hard to take anything seriously. There are constant references to "gangs" that people live in fear of, but the town is one square block and the only people represented are miners, the "Dandies," and the sheriff department led by Bill Pullman. The dramatic high point in "Dear Wendy" comes when a woman, who's deathly afraid of "gangs," is guarded by the "Dandies" as she attempts to visit a friend who lives one building away. I could outline many plot points, and even more over-the-top excesses, but the plot is not really what this is all about.

An absolute misfire on every level, I can't recommend "Dear Wendy." Even as an oddity, I found it lacking any real charm, message or redeeming value. I still love von Trier, I still love Vinterberg--but this film did nothing for me--artistically, dramatically or intellectually. Try it for something unique--but in this case, different doesn't necessarily translate to "good." KGHarris, 01/07. January 25, 2007

Unique film

It's an strange movie. Wendy is a small gun. The main character Dick brought it for a birthday gift for a peer but decides to keep it. Later, he finds out it's a real gun by a co-worker and together get into shooting guns. Then they form a club with the other young people like themselves, timid and introverted. They call themselves the Dandies. All of them see themselves non-violent but get confidence from their guns. The Dandies relate to their guns as if they had a soul or personality. As you can guess, this movie doesn't have a happy ending.

If you are looking for something different, you might like this. It will get you pondering about America's relationship with guns and the culture around it. There was something about this film that got me thinking about the Columbine killers.
August 14, 2006

Fight for peace - with guns

I think DEAR WENDY requires different point of views and offers several interpretations. I guess we all share some kinda fascination for fire arms. It doesn't mean we disklike the existence of fire arms and their destructive power. Lars von Trier loves guns, he's a fire arm fanatic (I was told) and it becomes a bit obvious when you watch the interview on the DVD. So the film is a bit like a personal investigation, examining the fascination for fire arms in context to naturally disliking the use of it.

When compared to Moore's quasi-Documentation BOWLING FOR COLUMBINE you could say that it's not the fear that drives people to have fire arms but rather lack of self-confidence. The weapon literally becomes your friend and as with a good friend it's easier to walk along strangers and look them in their eyes. That's the result for the hero in this film. Only to carry the gun unseen by the others serves enough to make him able to walk straight and not feel like a complete loser. An experience that he begins to share with a friend. When they sorta think they have the proof that this simple thing actually works, they don't want to keep it to themselves as it would be "a shame not to share it with others". So next thing they do is builing a little group of so-called "Dandies" who worship their guns by the restriction not to use it and show it elsewhere but in their hideout.

It's very confusing later on, as I didn't quiet "get" what the thing about Sebastian was. He's black, and his grandmother used to serve in the hero's house years ago. As soon as Sebastian is part of the show, his grandmother is as well, triggering a really unpredictable plot point that, as a consequence, seems to force the dandies to break the roules and awaken their guns. Is there a message behind this? I know some people who think black people have more violant potential, and those would clap their hands at the end of the film. I see a bit of a risk there. Additionally, I don't see why it is the killer's grandma who gets them into the real trouble. It's interesting and entertaining, and confusing.

Maybe the movie wants to tell us that a fire weapon cannot be misused for anything else but destruction. In the context of the actual world situation (Iraq etc.), it seems plausible. But generally, it's not really true.

However, I thought the film was very interesting. Maybe I should give it less stars as some critical points are very unclear to me. But nah, It's a recommondation for sure. August 8, 2006

Nice

This is a good film about guns and the STRONG drawing power they have for a punch of teens who are self proclaimed pacifist.



One thing becomes another and next thing there is a big shootout with guns blazing, these youngsters eventually becoming victims of one form or another to the volence which they advocate against.


Good film which could be shown in classrooms

March 22, 2006

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