Wanda is a 1970 independent film directed by and starring Barbara Loden, which takes a gritty look at the harsh realities of life in a small Pennsylvania coal town during the Great Depression. The movie centers on a depressed and aimless woman named Wanda Goronski, who has become disillusioned with her mundane existence of motherhood and housekeeping and seeks escape in the arms of a small-time criminal named Mr. Dennis.
The film begins with Wanda being divorced by her husband for her unfulfilling role as a mother and homemaker. She then loses custody of her two young children to her ex-husband and his new wife. With no job, no home, and no prospects, she hitchhikes her way to the rural mining town where she was born, seeking a fresh start.
While there, she meets Mr. Dennis, a small-time thief and hustler who takes an instant liking to her and offers her a place to stay. Wanda is drawn to his carefree and adventurous lifestyle, and soon becomes his accomplice in a series of money-making schemes that involve stealing and hustling. But as their relationship deepens, Mr. Dennis becomes increasingly abusive and controlling, and Wanda finds herself trapped in a cycle of violence.
At the same time, Wanda struggles to find her place in a society that has ostracized her for being a divorced woman and a mother who abandoned her children. She battles feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, and hopelessness, and finally realizes that Mr. Dennis is using her for his own selfish gains.
In the end, Wanda chooses to leave Mr. Dennis and start anew, knowing that she may never regain custody of her children or the life she once had. The film ends on a poignant note, with Wanda walking alone down a desolate road, reflecting on her past mistakes and uncertain future.
Wanda is hailed as a landmark film in feminist cinema, and a powerful exploration of the struggles faced by women in a society that devalues and marginalizes them. Barbara Loden's raw and nuanced performance as Wanda earned her critical acclaim and a place in film history.