Portrait of the Artist as a Young Woman: SHOWING UP

Review By Jason Godbey

Michelle Williams and Kelly Reichardt team up once again to bring you Showing Up, a new dramedy about the life of an artist. Williams plays Lizzy, a sculptor preparing for her new art show. As she prepares, she’s forced to deal with her flaky landlady who can’t seem to fix the water heater, her dysfunctional family, and a wounded pigeon.

I saw the movie when it screened as part of last year’s New York Film Festival. The audience consisted mainly of critics who seemed to enjoy it, and now it sits comfortably at 89% on Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer. One could argue that this film and others like it are made more for critics than for audiences, hence the 45% audience score.

On the positive side, this is a well-made, well-written, and well-acted movie. Reichardt’s direction is superb. Her camera lets the story breathe, never getting in the way of the world class talent on screen. The camera is static for the most part, only moving when it needs to and never calling attention to itself. The frame is set for the actors to play in, and they do marvelously.

The ensemble is an embarrassment of riches with Williams in the lead and a stellar supporting cast. Hong Chau has taken the world by storm of late, appearing in notable features like The Whale and The Menu as well as in series like Netflix’s The Night Agent and HBO’s Watchmen where she clearly stands out. As Jo, Lizzy’s landlady and rival, she captures the flaky, flighty essence of an artist forced to function in the real world managing to walk the tightrope between adorable and annoying.

The casting department on this film should be commended for assembling a cast with some serious heavy hitters including Maryann Plunkett as Lizzy’s mom, and Judd Hirsch as Lizzy’s dad, and John Magaro as Sean, Lizzy’s brother. We’re also treated to cameo appearances from Matt Malloy and Amanda Plummer. All the performances seem so natural, you’d think you were watching a documentary if it weren’t for the stationary camera.

Of course, Williams is the standout here as Lizzy an emerging artist who has much to say but chooses not to say it. She’s under pressure while trying to get her show ready all the while dealing with the aforementioned obstacles. It’s a subtle performances some audiences may not appreciate, but a great one nonetheless. It’s a very realistic portrayal of a character we feel we’ve met in the real world.

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My main criticism of the movie as I mentioned when we reviewed it last year is its lack of plot. I wanted more movie in the movie. There’s some build up to what should be a climax, but in the end, there isn’t much that happens. We never get the big blow up Lizzy’s frustration seems to be building toward. She never has it out with her parents who obviously favor her brother over giving her the attention or credit she deserves. The most conflict we get is her leaving a voicemail for her landlady insisting she fix the water heater.

The sort of non-climax is very true to life. Many people don’t stand up for themselves or have that big knock-down-drag-out fight with their love ones in public during their big art show, but this a movie. There are supposed to be big moments of realization and conflict and confrontation. There’s supposed to be a climax to the drama in which all grievances are aired. That’s what would happen in a movie because that’s movies are, extraordinary moments happening to ordinary people. Those are the moments that make stories worth telling.

Reichardt and co-writer Jonathan Raymond chose to not give us the satisfaction of a climax, a scene which makes us feel that catharsis that comes from seeing the hero triumph and the villains get their comeuppance, the scene that makes us feel better because we identify with the main character and want her to have her moment when she gets back these people for all they’ve put her through. Instead we’re left something closer to reality, asking ourselves “that’s it? Is that all that happens?”

As far as a recommendation, there’s definitely an audience for this type of movie outside of film critics. If you have a fondness for the quirky and eccentric, if you’ve ever met people like this, this will put a smile on your face, and there are a few genuine laughs. It’s not the most exciting movie, but worth watching for the performances.

Originally published at https://behindtherabbitproductions.wordpress.com on April 10, 2023.