Jonathan Demme is best known for The Silence of the Lambs, arguably the darkest film ever to win an Oscar for Best Picture. Ironically, before that film Demme built reputation on offbeat and light-hearted comedies. Those wanting to see traces of darkness in his film, however, could do so even in that period, at least judging by Something Wild, his 1986 film that represents strange combination of comedy and thriller.
The protagonist, played by Jeff Daniels, is Charlie Driggs, New York corporate executive who has just been promoted. He did so by always trying to do things right, but there is still a little rebellious streak in him which manifests one day in a coffee shop when he leaves while failing to pay the bill. On the street he is confronted about that by strange-looking but attractive woman who calls herself Lulu (played by Melanie Griffith). Their conversation soon becomes much friendlier and she volunteers to drive him to his office. However, it soon becomes apparent that Lulu’s destination is far beyond city limits but Charlie, although practically kidnapped, becomes amused with the whole situation, even after his adventure involves Lulu stealing money from liquor store or making him eat in restaurant without paying. This all leads to a night of passionate and unconventional sex in the motel after which Lulu admits that her real name is Audrey and asks Charlie to visit her mother (played by Dana Preu). They continue charade during Audrey’s high school reunion but this proves to be a mistake, because the reunion is attended by Ray Sinclair (played by Ray Liotta), Audrey’s husband who has just been released from prison where he served sentence for series of violent robberies. Ray is jealous at Charlie and wants Audrey back, even if this results in increasingly violent and bloody confrontation.
This unusual genre combination of screwball comedy, road film, social commentary and psychological thriller was loved by the critics. That can be explained by the screenplay by E. Max Frye, which took critical stance towards yuppies – phenomenon that American intellectual establishment saw as the embodiment of everything wrong about Reagan’s America. The film offers alternative to yuppie lifestyle in the more carefree and relaxed world of “cool” bohemians and rebellious artists, much like those who perform at the exotic soundtrack (which includes song by Demme’s good friend David Byrne). Demme shows great skill as director and employs lot of style, helped by cinematographer Tak Fujimoto.
The general result is good, but not great. Something Wild at half of running time makes a switch from quirky romantic comedy to very dark and disturbing thriller, in a way that might look a little too abrupt. However, the real problem for this film that, despite its alleged rebelliousness, actually plays it safe and in line with mainstream Hollywood conventions. For example, protagonist is played by relatively young and attractive-looking actor (although Jeff Daniels can play serious persons with authority in his sleep); the film would have been much different if the protagonist was a little bit older. There is also an issue with subplot about Charlie claiming to have a wife and children and only later admitting that his wife left him; this conveniently allows audience to root for Audrey to stay with Charlie instead of seeing her character as home wrecker. The actual ending, during which Charlie inexplicably abandons his corporate career and has fairy tale-like reunion with Audrey looks quite predictable, at least to those familiar with Hollywood cliches. Casting of Ray Liotta also harmed a film a bit, simply because his performance in the role of a charismatic but sinister villain (something that he would play a lot in the rest of his career) is so good that he makes Daniels and Melanie Griffith bland in comparison. Despite these flaws, that would probably be more annoying to hard core cinephiles than general audience, Something Wild is still entertaining enough to deserve recommendation.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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Movie URL: https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/11300-something-wild Critic: AA
