Certain Women (2016)

Film Introduction
"Certain Women", directed by Kelly Reichardt, is a 2016 American drama movie. The film is an adjustment from Maile Meloy's collection of short stories titled "Both Ways is the Only Way I Want It" and "Half in Love". The ensemble cast includes Laura Dern, Kristen Stewart, Michelle Williams, Lily Gladstone, James Le Gros, and Jared Harris. The narrative is structured in 3 parts, each concentrating on the quiet struggles of four females residing in Montana.

First Chapter: Laura's Story
Laura Wells, played by Laura Dern, is a lawyer handling a difficult customer, Fuller (Jared Harris), who is unhappily embroiled in a worker's payment case. Blinded in a building and construction accident and dissatisfied with his settlement, Fuller holds a security personnel captive and Laura is called in as an arbitrator. After diffusing the scenario, Laura drives Fuller to jail where he apologizes. The very first narrative summarizes the story of a beleaguered woman, dealing with professional needs and responsibilities towards disruptive male figures.

Second Chapter: Gina's Story
The second chapter focuses on Gina (Michelle Williams), a motivated spouse and mother, striving to develop a dream home in the countryside with her husband, Ryan (James Le Gros). Gina handles the belittlement and indifference from her husband and teenage daughter. Their interaction with a lonesome old guy, Albert, for sandstone procurement exposes the household characteristics and Gina's aggravation over always appearing as the "bad police officer".

Final Chapter: Beth and Jamie's Story
The concluding chapter highlights a bond between a young lawyer, Beth (Kristen Stewart) and a cattle ranch hand, Jamie (Lily Gladstone). Beth, inadvertently lands a job teaching a school law class in a remote town 4 hours from home. Jamie, looking for companionship, meanders into the class and forms a bond with her. Nevertheless, the harsh commute overwhelms Beth and she stops the job quickly leaving a really disappointed and heartbroken Jamie.

Epilogue
The movie concludes with an epilogue featuring Jamie heading to a restaurant after work, mirroring her actions from the third chapter, hinting that she has not fully recuperated from her heartbreak, and the isolation she was attempting to get away remains.

Critical Reception
"Certain Women" is marked by Reichardt's signature design, which highlights the information and rhythms of daily life, allowing stress and emotion to accumulate gradually. The film has been admired for its subtle story and powerful efficiencies, particularly Gladstone's. It checks out the themes of privacy, yearning, and the struggle to be heard. The motion picture compellingly portrays the complexity of female life and relationships and the struggle for identity in the rigid standards of rural society.

Movie Awards
"Certain Women" premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. It won the Best Film award at the London Film Festival and was nominated in the Main Competition section at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival. Regardless of its slow-paced narrative, the film received vital recognition for its strong performances and representation of life in small-town America.

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