Showing Up

Lizzy (Michelle Williams) is a sculptor working to set up her show. She works at a small art school run by her mother Jean (Maryann Plunkett). Her father Bill (Judd Hirsch) has a couple living at his house. His brother Sean is unstable. Her co-worker Eric (André 3000) is firing her works in the kiln. She has a love-hate relationship with her friend-landlord Jo (Hong Chau).

It's a minimalist portrait of an artistic life and her little everyday tribulations. It's not the most earth-shattering plot. It's a look inside a stressed-out woman's life. It's Michelle Williams being naturally compelling. Hong Chau delivers another great performance. The art school is very specific. It's not a movie that is so quirky that it's hilarious and it's not so dramatic that it's heart-wrenching. It's the simple drama of an artist.

There's a sculptor who has a glass and it's half empty, lives in a world full of despair that's just not carefree, no hot water in her tap, things are generally just crap, she is the epitome of gloom and misery. Then a pigeon pays a call and gets cat mauled, this leaves the artist most annoyed, slightly appalled, but she sends it on its way, it returns boxed up next day, a bird that's clearly been well trained, you'll be enthralled! (it's a talented bird) The mood continues to be more downbeat and muted, as the artist gets her pieces executed, familial issues do not please, as her brother eats the cheese, but that's the price you have to pay, when you're deep-rooted.

Wonderful performances and great dialogue, but not a lot else.

It took me a few weeks to digest this movie, which is profound considering how quiet and reserved it is. This film will resonate with creatives and dreamers alike; people who battle finding space and time to make their art amongst the seemingly mundane and frustrating daily activities.

As a former Portland resident (I lived a few blocks from Lizzy's house) I got nostalgic instantly. The pace of the movie feels indicative of a summer in transit.

I was sad to see so many negative reviews, which is partly why I felt the need to share my thoughts. There is beauty to this film which I hope people can find on a closer look.

Also, Andre 3000.

Are you an artist? Do you have impostor syndrome? Does it feel like everyone is getting on with their lives except you? Well, let me tell you: IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD.

This movie has taught me that in adulthood we accept one another as we are. Just like Jo accepted Lizzie.

This movie has taught me that things take time.

This movie embodies the weakness and fear inside all of us. The voice that doesn't speak up and piles up thoughts upon thoughts upon thoughts.

If anxiety and calm had a baby, it would be this movie.

I don't recommend watching this. Great performances from all the actors. But that's about it.

Kelly Reichardt's (Old Joy/First Cow) latest from 2022 starring Reichardt's go to girl Oscar nominee Michelle Williams (after working on Wendy & Lucy & Meek's Cutoff w/her) in this tale of a frumpled art colony where Williams has to wrestle w/working on material (she's a sculptor of small figurines) for a new show while dealing w/her equally spacey landlord, Oscar nominee Hong Chau, to get the hot water running. As the muted drama continues we see the different members of this collective show off their wares or struggle to provide work for impending shows w/not much to show at film's end as it seems Reichardt may've fell in love w/this bohemian culture but didn't have an interesting story to tell (as opposed to Terry Zwigoff's 2006 off the wall adaptation of Daniel Clowes' Art House Confidential) which is a shame since for me Reichardt, a premiere regional director working out of the Pacific Northwest, has a solid track record w/her releases. Also starring Oscar nominee Judd Hirsch as Williams' dad & former Outkast member Andre 3000 (who's much derided flute music can be heard in the background) as a member of the collective.