Something Wild

 

Moviedrome Introduction

Film Details 

Release Date: 1986

Director: Jonathan Demme

Stars: Jeff Daniels, Melanie Griffiths, Ray Liotta

Plot Summary

The story begins in New York with Charlie Driggs, a respectable but rather conventional businessman.

One day, he encounters Lulu, an eccentric and free-spirited woman who immediately recognises something rebellious beneath his respectable exterior.

She offers him a lift, but what follows is anything but an ordinary journey home.

Lulu effectively takes Charlie on an impulsive road trip, introducing him to a world of sexual adventure, petty crime, unusual characters and unexpected situations.

As they travel together, Charlie becomes increasingly caught up in her lifestyle.

Eventually, Lulu reveals that her real name is Audrey Hankel. She takes Charlie to meet her family, where he is introduced as her husband.

The situation becomes considerably more complicated when they attend her high-school reunion and encounter Ray Sinclair, her former husband.

Ray's arrival changes the entire atmosphere of the film.

What began as a quirky romantic adventure becomes a dangerous confrontation involving jealousy, obsession, manipulation and violence.

Personal History

Yeah, I can remember watching this on video, or maybe even on Moviedrome.

Current Review

A film that quickly disintegrates as it changes style. It starts off as a screwball comedy - as the tightly wound Jeff Daniels gets taken away on a road trip by the impulsive, unpredictable and unlikely Melanie Griffiths. This turns into an unlikely road trip - taken in a huge Cadillac, slugging whisky and robbing liquor stores and family diners. 

The Ray Liotta appears and it all goes wrong. The humour drops and the film descends into a unlikely psychological battle that ultimately ends in a standard stand-off. I don't need to tell you who wins the elongated final fight sequence.

Annoying

Very dated now - in music, looks, feel and attitudes to Melanie Griffiths - who seemed permanently obliged to reveal her body.

Quirky Facts

The two old ladies in the re-sale shop are the mothers of David Byrne and director Jonathan Demme.

Feature-film debut of Ray Liotta in a lead role. He did improve in other roles.

Chris Isaak was up for the role of Ray Sinclair. He dropped out, due to finishing his self-titled second album. Ray's role could have been played even worse.

Quotes

Charlie Driggs: You were right. I'm a rebel. I am! I just channelled my rebellion into the mainstream. Delivered rather unconvincingly. 

Future Inspiration

Trying to avoid more knockabout 1980s comedy thrillers - I got a couple of left-field suggestions;

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil – John Berendt

An extraordinary true-life portrait of eccentric personalities, secrets, social intrigue and murder in Savannah, Georgia.

And get this - Avalon, by Roxy Music!