Customer Reviews

Something Wild

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

An interesting choice for the Criterion label, I have hoped desperately that Jonathan Demme's 1986 madcap road picture "Something Wild" would get a deserving upgrade from its rather drab earlier DVD presentation. I actually went to a theater and saw this film twice and it is easily one of my favorite Demme pictures. With his eclectic resume, Demme will perhaps always be known best for "The Silence of the Lambs" but his legacy has several terrific screwball comedies (Married to the Mob) and understated masterpieces (Melvin and Howard) prior to him being anointed an Academy Award winner. "Something Wild" fits comfortably into the screwball comedy category--but what makes it so unorthodox and refreshing is that it has both heart and edge. A lot has changed since 1986. Back then, Jeff Daniels was still a leading man as opposed to a character actor. Melanie Griffith was sexy, surprising, and a blossoming talent. And a relatively unknown Ray Liotta was trying to break into a big screen career after years on television. These three leads turned in unexpectedly strong performances and ALL were nominated for Golden Globe awards.

Styled after silent screen star Louise Brooks, Griffith vibrantly portrays Lulu (at least, that's the name she calls herself). Wild, aggressive, and sexually uninhibited, Lulu crosses paths with Daniels' uptight businessman. Challenged by the rebellious free spirit, Daniels' mild mannered existence is all but hijacked by adventure as the unlikely duo take to the road. A culture clash and wacky hilarity ensue--but then the picture softens as a real persona emerges from beneath the Lulu alter ego. As tentative romance and understanding bubble to the surface when the couple reach Griffith's home town, a further complication arises in the character of her violent ex-con ex-husband (that's one too many exes to sit comfortably with me--it's Liotta and you know he's trouble!). A real dangerous undertone pervades the final acts of the film--and the movie shifts again for its final transition. Going from ribald to heartfelt to thrilling, "Something Wild" crosses genre boundaries even as it's a quintessential romantic comedy.

This is Daniels at his most appealing--this with "The Purple Rose of Cairo" remind you how dashing he could be. Griffith is so strong. She really has to embody a tremendous character arc and she does so with precision. But the break-out star has to be Liotta, magnetic and absolutely chilling. I think it's one of the most undervalued supporting performance of that era! The film also boast a smart screenplay and a distinguished soundtrack. Not only do I think that the film holds up well to the nostalgia factor, I think it's primed to be discovered anew.

However, it is with much regret that I report that the usually impressive Criterion treatment seems a tad lackluster. The film receives a new, and much needed, restored digital transfer (with a DTS-HD Master Audio Soundtrack for Blu-ray). The extras? Not much. The DVDs have only new interviews with the writer and Demme and the film's trailer. Really? What's up with that? The movie is only 25 years old, there has to be supplemental material to include and Demme is still cranking out A-list projects. So my happiness at the Criterion treatment is short-lived with a big fat zero in special features. Great movie, glad it's re-mastered, but still disappointed! KGHarris, 2/11.

I thought Demme walked on water after seeing this movie (and its follow-ups, Married to the Mob and Silence of the Lambs). I love the layers of texture to this movie--there's always some set decoration I never noticed before, and the performances he wrings out of his stable of actors is great. This movie defined "alternative" when it was released, and deftly pulled off the seemingly impossible feat of starting out screwball comedy and turning violent halfway thru without losing its voice. All three leads have never done better than they did here (okay, maybe Liotta in Goodfellas). So why is SW subjected to the basement of video VHS? This movie made tons of critics top 10 lists for the Eighties (sadly not much of a challenge, but still...) and yet can't even get a DVD date to prom. Wild...

This is a fun movie with good performances by Melanie Griffith, Jeff Daniels and Ray Liotta. I loved it the first time I saw it and still enjoy it.

I remember seeing this waaaay back when it was in theaters. One of those incredibly under-rated cinematic gems. What I liked most about it was the transition from a seemingly lighthearted Indie-ish goofball romantic comedy, to dead on noir. I caught this recently on a High-Def channel on cable. All I can say is WOW ! It was like I was seeing it for the first time, Déjà vu all over again. This film deserves a Blu-ray release, preferably packed with extra features, commentaries etc.

this film knocks me out every time I see it. the acting is great and the story so different and original. Jonathon Demme really knew his stuff. Generally an all round brilliant effort and an unlauded gem in the opinion of yours truly.

This is a great twist on the traditional love story. Demme takes you on a 'wild' ride. Inspires to get priorities correct in life. An interesting evening for two: somthing for the guys - someone who get over their head, something for the girls - an untraditional love story that touches the heart. Let's hope that not every couple starts out like this. Great cast with Griffith, Daniels, Liotta (in a superb and very scary performance).

I have no complaints about the quality of the DVD. The movie itself I give 5 STARS. Melanie Griffith is a delight in the role of Lulu (and led me to having a crush on her yow!). Lulu is a woman who's been leading a freewheeling, marginal life of a kind that must have reminded Ms. Griffith a bit of her own wild times, but with a better outcome. Anyway, the movie starts out lighthearted with Lulu essentially shanghaiing (sp?) Jeff Daniels away from his empty job in NYC and off to her high school reunion in PA. There, the couple run into Ray (Ray Liotta) who's Lulu's real husband and who is also fresh outta jail and looking to get the one good thang (Lulu) back in his life. At this point (about the last 30 minutes or so) the movie turns from freewheelin' fun to drama and violence. Kind of like life, eh? One minute you're up, the next.... I recall reading a review once that said the movie wasn't as popular as it should have been because it didn't fit neatly as either a comedy or a drama. Pity it wasn't marketed as both. Go for it!

After recently re-watching "Something Wild", I was reminded why Jonathan Demme was one of the more promising new directors of the 80's,before being reduced to a hired hand on Oprah Winfrey's ego project "Beloved". Melanie Griffith and Jeff Daniels (before his one-note aw-shucks Jimmy Stewart persona became tiresome)give top performances as the kooky free spirit and the (initially) uptight yuppie. Demme successfully blends classic 30's-style screwball comedy with some surprisingly frank sexuality (for a Hollywood film). A mid-80's zeitgeist fills each scene with rich neon colors and a very hip selection of music. The introduction of Ray Liotta's well played, menacing psycho ex-husband character, while initially jarring, saves the film from becoming merely a collection of zany, episodic vignettes, adding interesting dramatic tension. There are also enough subtle layers to the characters that make the film worth repeated viewings. A definite sleeper that has aged well.

I first watched this movie in 1989 in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, and it left an impression on me so deep that I have never stopped recommending it to people ever since. The first 30 minutes are among the funniest you could wish to watch, as the ultra-weird Lulu whisks the world's straightest businessmen away from his city job in the middle of a normal working day, seduces him in a motel using handcuffs, and later makes him race away from a roadside restaurant without paying the bill. There is an abrupt and totally unexpected change of tone midway through when it becomes clear that Lulu has a nutcase husband, Ray, who's just come out of prison. The viewer finds himself praying that everything will turn out okay for Melanie Griffith and Jeff Daniels, because even though they have both told a few lies to each other and have done things they shouldn't have, they are ultimately nice people and - somewhat to their own surprise - have ended up liking each other a lot. But Ray just gets more and more violent and obsessive about getting Lulu back. All three main parts are played perfectly, and there are all sorts of wonderful cameos like the owner of the liquor store that Lulu robs, the second-hand car dealer, and the old schoolfriend of Jeff Daniels with his horridly dull pregnant wife. Fantastic music, too.

First, the music in this movie. Director Jonathan Demme has always put good songs in, but "Something Wild" might be the best example. Just about every song used reminds me of the good things about inventive creative music from the 80's, while leaving the garbage out. Thus the "time capsule" header, as this is the way I'd like to remember that era.

The movie itself is a wild roller coaster that is somewhat of an updated version of a Hitchcock movie. The comparison here is based on an everyday guy getting himself drawn deeper and deeper in to a situation, where he not only at times escape is fairly difficult, but he'll eventually have to fight for his life.

But what makes it more intriguing is that when the everyday guy does get a chance to escape, he finds his situation so intriguing that he changes his mind. He not only spies on the situation he probably should be running away from as fast as he can, but he also confronts it in one of the most ballsy scenes in movie history. The restaurant scene where he virtually walks in and takes the girl from the nasty bad guy is a cinematic treat.

So is the casting. Jeff Daniels is perfect as the everyday guy. It's disappointing to see Melanie Griffith today, because in this movie she absolutely sizzles as the bad girl who gets him into the predicament, but also has a good side that wants to get out of the bad life. And the screen debut of Ray Liotta is absolutely electrifying as an intelligent violent man, and I'm sure this is what got him the recognition that led to "Goodfellas". I'm amazed that I saw this movie while well into my adult life, and considering that was already sixteen years ago, I'm starting to feel old again.