“DEAR WENDY” (2005)

Starring: Jamie Bell, Bill Pullman, Michael Angarano, Danso Gordon, Novella Nelson, Chris Owen, Alison Pill & Mark Webber
Written by Lars von Trier
Directed by Thomas Vinterberg

Polly Staffle Rating: ****

America was founded on violence. Yet we condemn individuals that act violently. All the while we look the other way as our government commits vicious crimes against humanity in the guise of keeping peace. I am not only speaking of war, but daily activities of our justice system as well. It’s a hypocritical cycle of “do not murder or we will kill you.” We are all allowed the right to own firearms, but if we use them or appear as though we may, we are reprehensible, wrong or evil. It doesn’t matter why we acted as we did. No movie before has ever looked at this issue quite like “Dear Wendy.”

This is the most American film I have seen in a long time. Oddly, it was shot in Germany and Denmark, written and directed by Danish filmmakers and stars a British actor. Jamie Bell plays the lead character Dick Dandelion. He is a young loner that begins a “gun club” for the “rejects” in the small poor American mining town of Electric Park Square. The name Jamie Bell didn’t ring any bells when I first sat down to watch this, but I soon recognized him from David Gordon Green’s excellent movie “Undertow.” Reminiscent of a cross between a young Owen Wilson and Mike Maronna, who played Big Pete on the TV show “The Adventures of Pete & Pete,” Bell’s definitely a face to watch out for as he was also the title character in “Billy Elliot,” starred in “The Chumscrubber” and was Jimmy in “King Kong.” Two of the masterminds behind Dogme 95’s avant-garde filmmaking movement, Thomas Vinterberg and Lars von Trier are the creative forces behind the scenes of “Dear Wendy.” Vinterberg directed the von Trier script. The film’s soundtrack also features the British band The Zombies predominately.

This film is destined to be a timeless classic. It can be seen in many ways and that’s what makes it so brilliant. It’s a political film, but it is so much more like the poignant “A Clockwork Orange.” It opens with the story of a social outcast and follows him through his rise to commanding a small army into battle, closing with stylistic violence. Its part tragedy, part western, part dark comedy, part coming of age drama and features narration that makes it seem as though it was based off a novel. It’s also a love story. Not your average love story however. It’s about our country’s love affair with guns. It’s about how twisted and perverted our vision of the world becomes when we are blinded by the power of violence. It can be seen as an explanation of why there are gangs and drive-by shootings. It shows us how easy the lines can blur from right to wrong and why individuals can do things like blow up buildings and shoot up schools. We watch as outsiders become terrorists. We root for them and are on their side the entire time. That’s because it’s so freaking cool and a hell of a lot of fun. It’s quirky and character driven and is the story of the underdog fearlessly taking on the system and going out in a blaze of glory. This is “Revenge of the Nerds” meets “Welcome to the Dollhouse” and “Trainspotting” done Robert Rodriguez style.

Without spoiling too much, Dick (Bell) and Stevie (Mark Webber) start a secret society of gun-toting pacifists that call themselves “The Dandies.” They do not believe in using their weapons on anyone, nor do they show them off. They simply carry them and target practice deep in a deserted mine. Three other town misfits soon join the club - Susan (Alison Pill), and the brothers Huey (Chris Owen) and Freddie (Michael Angarano). Dick calls the group a social experiment. In a way it is. The Dandies demonstrate what happens when people come together as a family, believing in each other and sharing the same values. All find confidence in themselves as their shooting abilities increase and their knowledge of weapons, exit wounds and gunslingers expand. They even come up with their own way of talking about their new found hobby. Guns are known as their “partners” and given names. Their “partners” are said to be sleeping and if ever awakened and called to action, their use is known as “loving.” It may sound a little ridiculous, but think of all the prettied up names we have for murder like war, casualties, collateral damage, friendly fire and capital punishment.

Everything starts out fine for The Dandies. They all contribute something to the mine and dress it up to be their “Temple.” Dick is their leader, but everyone has a say. Even their “partners” are given votes when a decision needs made. But everything starts to unwind when a potential new member arrives. What ends up going down isn’t all the newbie’s fault as it was eventually bound to happen. That individual does usher the tragic events in, nonetheless, as Dick starts to see them as a threat to his command. In a hair-brained attempt to regain his power, Dick comes up with a plan to make the presence of The Dandies known to the town. His intentions are good, but the results are all wrong.

Some may thumb their nose at this film and say it is pretentious. Others may twist its meaning and see it as condoning or glamorizing violence. To me, this is filmmaking at its best. Vinterberg makes every moment of the 100-minute film count. It’s a great story. There are interesting characters. It looks and sounds fantastic. Lastly, it gives you something to think about, but doesn’t spoon feed a message like “Crash” and never once do you have to question if you are watching PBS. Dear “Dear Wendy” I was so sorry to see you go. Please come back soon.

MEET THE DANDIES

• DICK
  Rank: Leader of The Dandies.
  Characteristics: Dedicated pacifist with very little self-confidence.
  Shooting specialty: From the hip and blindfolded cause he is a bad ass like that.
  Weapon: Double action pearl handle revolver with internal hammer.
• STEVIE
  Rank: Co-founder of The Dandies.
  Characteristics: Shy, but knows every story behind each weapon.
  Shooting specialty: Long range accuracy.
  Weapon: Semi-automatic 7,63mm Model 1898 Broomhandle.
• SUSAN
  Rank: The only She-Dandy.
  Characteristics: She is said to stink and has never grown breasts.
  Shooting specialty: Ricochet shooting with two pistols.
  Weapon: Caliber .32 double action six-shooters with extended hammers.
• HUEY
  Rank: Only handicapped Dandy.
  Characteristics: Unlucky in many ways, especially with girls. Used to get by with a wheelchair, but now uses crutches.
  Shooting specialty: High caliber.
  Weapon: Caliber .52 smooth bore percussion front loader.
• FREDDIE
  Rank: Youngest Dandy.
  Characteristics: Huey’s brother. Always gets beaten up at school.
  Shooting specialty: Doesn’t really have one.
  Weapon: Is reluctant to pick one.
  

- CCF, June 2006