{"id":1342140,"date":"2023-04-16T17:10:40","date_gmt":"2023-04-16T16:10:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publish.entertainment-focus.com\/?p=1342140"},"modified":"2023-04-16T17:10:41","modified_gmt":"2023-04-16T16:10:41","slug":"wanda-criterion-collection-blu-ray-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment-focus.com\/2023\/04\/16\/wanda-criterion-collection-blu-ray-review\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Wanda\u2019 Criterion Collection Blu-ray review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Barbara Loden\u2019s 1970 indie drama \u2018Wanda\u2019\u2014the one and only film she directed in her career\u2014has been thrust back into public consciousness recently, following the Sight and Sound \u201cgreatest films of all time\u201d poll placing it at number 48. Now available on the Criterion label, the film has been lovingly restored from the original 16mm, whilst retaining its stripped back and naturalistic style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also written by and starring Loden in the titular role, \u2018Wanda\u2019 is a character study of a disillusioned and self-destructive woman cast adrift by society. We first meet her sleeping on her sister\u2019s couch, whilst she is going through the final stages of her divorce. At a court hearing she waves any parental rights, allowing her husband to take custody of their kids. She drifts around town, drinking heavily, casually hooking up with strangers, before eventually crossing paths with Mr. Dennis, a small-time crook played by Michael Higgins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two form an unlikely bond, as they travel across rural Pennsylvania committing petty crimes. If you are unfamiliar with this film, you might think it sounds a bit like \u2018Bonnie and Clyde\u2019 or \u2018Badlands\u2019. Whilst there are some thematic similarities, such as its focus on characters from the margins of society engaging in criminal behaviour, \u2018Wanda\u2019 is a much more experimental and unconventional film. Loden\u2019s naturalistic style strips the film bare of anything even remotely comparable to traditional Hollywood productions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The film\u2019s reputation and critical acclaim largely stems from Loden\u2019s sensitive and complex portrayal of Wanda. Defying traditional gender roles in several ways, her deeply human and empathetic central turn is absolutely fascinating. When you think of how many films there are about unhappy women who turn their lives around with new relationships, new jobs, new experiences et cetera, Loden goes in the complete opposite direction.<\/p>\n\n\n