Certain Women 2016

“Kelly Reichardt [Wendy and Lucy, NZIFF09; Meek’s Cutoff, NZIFF11] artfully merges her two obsessions, the mid-western American landscape (here, Livingston, Montana) and women’s psychology, by reworking and intertwining three short stories, with an uncanny gift for drawing forceful, yet intimate performances from actors (especially actresses).” — Bérénice Reynaud, Senses of Cinema

“The great writer-director responsible for some of the best American films of the last decade… has made what may be her most beautiful work of art yet. Certain Women, adapted from three short stories by Montana author Maile Meloy, is a film so quiet and understated, that the emotional wallop it packs may seem unlikely at first glance. With an incredible cast that features Laura Dern, Michelle Williams, and Kristen Stewart, it’s hardly the film you’d expect would attract Hollywood talent of that pedigree. But they’re in it for Reichardt’s vision, and what a delicate and poetic vision it is, of the everyday lives of normal women navigating the everyday. Master cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt creates some of the most memorable and painterly images you’re likely to see in a film this year.” — Adam Cook, Vancouver International Film Festival

“Laura Dern, Jared Harris, Lily Gladstone and Kristen Stewart produce among their best performances to date. But in the film’s sense of empathy for every flawed character, this is Reichardt’s movie, a hypnotic tale of detachment, isolation but also of the nuggets of hope in every human interaction.” — Ed Frankl, Little White Lies