Certain Women

IFC Films | Release Date: October 14, 2016

6.1	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 70 Ratings

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cnakhlaJan 21, 2017

It is clear by its mixed reviews that this film is a very acquired taste. This film feels less like a film and more like a painting to me. Every frame has been so thoughtfully put together that time is needed for the viewer to take in whatIt is clear by its mixed reviews that this film is a very acquired taste. This film feels less like a film and more like a painting to me. Every frame has been so thoughtfully put together that time is needed for the viewer to take in what they are watching. Certain Women isn't meant to have a groundbreaking story. The benign nature of the narrative reminds the audience of the subtleties of life. To make a film this beautiful, Reichardt had to make it simple. If there was a complex and intense narrative going on them so much of what the film fights for would be lost. There is nothing to be distracted by in this film, allowing you to be completely present as you watch.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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fairbrotherJun 19, 2017

This is a love it or hate it film. Very little happens here, and it happens slowly at that, so I'm sure that some viewers will simply tune out. But those who surrender to it's gentle rhythm might just be completely transported: I was. There'sThis is a love it or hate it film. Very little happens here, and it happens slowly at that, so I'm sure that some viewers will simply tune out. But those who surrender to it's gentle rhythm might just be completely transported: I was. There's so little conventional plotting that it's redundant to try summing up the three short tales within. But bear in mind that these are, indeed, tales adapted from short stories. And the film preserves the best, enduring characteristics of a great short story: namely finding the universal through the specific, and rendering it as lightly as possible. Plotting - at least in the "oh no, what's gonna happen next?" sense - isn't the point. It's the MOOD that matters and, Sweet Jesus, does this film get it exactly right. Director Kelly Reicherdt's sense of place, and sense of pace, is exquisite. Her framing is unfussy but always evocative. And she has the uncanny knack for coaxing her actors to a place where they truly know their characters - we can feel that every person here has a whole life story, even though we only see fleeting fragments from it. The cast are all in fine form but special mention must be made of relative unknown Lily Gladstone, who gets some of the film's best moments, and wears them with a heartbreaking sincerity.

All told, it's as beautifully-judged a piece of cinema as anything I saw in 2016.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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amheretojudgeFeb 16, 2018

what's wrong with me..

Certain Women The problem that itches throughout the course of these kind of movies is that it focuses on separate characters individually and the audience might not have the reason to hold on to it all the way to thewhat's wrong with me..

Certain Women

The problem that itches throughout the course of these kind of movies is that it focuses on separate characters individually and the audience might not have the reason to hold on to it all the way to the end if there is nothing binding them all but still the writer-director Kelly Reichardt's attempt is plausible as the first hour runs by smoothly. Laura Dern's part which is the first act is smartly written with gripping screenplay whilst Michelle William's has a mild tone to it at which point the film may lose the audience only to pick up onto its final act which is intriguing enough to invest in it. All the actors are at their best, offering stellar performances on screen with great supporting cast (one would hope that they all better share a screen). Certain Women has a great concept, excellent execution, stellar performances with a bit slow but gripping screenplay but lacks a genuine soul in it.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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Christopher_G2Oct 31, 2020

Kelly Reichardt, who has had a strong directorial track record of small, high-acclaimed, understated, character-driven films—for me a notable standout being a terrific little western from 2010 called Meek’s Cutoff—added to her career resumeKelly Reichardt, who has had a strong directorial track record of small, high-acclaimed, understated, character-driven films—for me a notable standout being a terrific little western from 2010 called Meek’s Cutoff—added to her career resume in 2015 with another impressive feat: Certain Women. With this film she has solidified herself as one of the best American, female directors—or maybe of either gender—of independent films out there right now. The plotline involves three loosely-interconnected stories of women depicting their struggles within their work, their life goals, their romances etc. High-class female talent in Laura Dern, Kristen Stewart, and the always fantastic Michelle Williams are put to wonderful use, not really with huge dramatic scenes (though some characters around them provide us that element) but with solid, realistic, and non-showy portrayals of women in life’s twists and turns. If you haven’t yet seen a Reichardt movie, this would be an excellent first experience. Along with Meek’s Cutoff, I’d also recommend her Old Joy; and I look forward to seeing her most recent release First Cow, just released earlier this year.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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DSENJan 5, 2021

I remember I worked the premiere of this movie at Sundance in 2016 and it really resonated with me in a way that not many other films had. A movie I was really glad I stuck with and immediately made me a fan of Reichardt and offered what II remember I worked the premiere of this movie at Sundance in 2016 and it really resonated with me in a way that not many other films had. A movie I was really glad I stuck with and immediately made me a fan of Reichardt and offered what I thought was Kristen Stewart’s best performance to date. I hope more people discover this movie after First Cow(Which I have yet to see) and visit some of her other works like Meeks Cutoff.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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