American director Kelly Reichardt's films are often described as 'minimalist'. Not unjustly so, as she makes films about the small dramas that ordinary people experience daily, like Wendy and Lucy and First Cow. In this gem, Michelle Williams plays the lead role; this is the fourth time she and Reichardt have worked together.
Introverted ceramicist Lizzy (Williams) from Portland, Oregon, makes modest but highly expressive figurines of women in clay. Her artistry, which many do not take too seriously, is confined to her scarce free time, as she works full-time as an assistant to her mother, the art school director. She rents a flat from her neighbour Jo (Hong Chau), who is also an artist, albeit much more successful. Nevertheless, Lizzy has an upcoming exhibition soon, though she has to pull out all the stops to finish her sculptures on time. A broken water pump and worries about her father, brother and a pigeon injured by her cat do not help.