Something Wild

Rating:
Summary: Demme's finest
Review: Jonathan Demme has directed some great films ("Melvin and Howard", "The Silence of the Lambs", and-despite the backlash-"Beloved"), but this quirky little film from 1986 remains his best. One night four years ago I found myself turning the dial of the black-and-white TV in my room and landed on this film as the local late-night movie. I decided to give it a shot, and lo and behold, I found myself enraptured by the chemistry between Jeff Daniels as the repressed businessman and Melanie Griffith as the dynamo with the Louise Brooks wig, so much so that I rented the film again in the past month and enjoyed it on an equal footing. However, this film is more than the sex-charged romp that might be expected upon glancing on the video's coverbox. Demme shows a real empathy toward every single one of his eccentric characters, whether they be used-goods (Griffith), or spineless twits (Daniels). A measure of this film's empathy shows during the scene where Griffith visits her mother and introduces Daniels as her "husband". The mother is not a dimwit and knows that her daughter is feeding her sugar-coated lies, but she goes along with it anyway. What's most intriguing about this portion of the film is how Griffith's handcuff-carrying, booze-drinking sex fiend has a sweetness that shows through the more we get to know her, whereas Daniels develops a wild streak that would also be undetectable upon first glance. Ray Liotta steps into the film halfway-through and kicks it into high gear as Griffith's vengeful convict-husband, who smarmily tries to ingratiate himself with Daniels before his true motives are revealed. "Something Wild" is a film which screams "80s" all over it; you can see it in the fashion styles (especially future "Independence Day" player Margaret Colin as a woman who lusts after Daniels at Griffith's high-school reunion) and in the excellent soundtrack (which over the years has become a cult favorite, with tracks by UB40, David Byrne, Jimmy Cliff, and the Fine Young Cannibals). This time-capsule flavor makes the film even more fascinating, as we realize how minutely the movie has envisioned its atmosphere so as to get to the audience, while adding a nostalgic flavor that takes us more jaded-by-the-alternative-demeanor-of-the-90s audience members down fondly remembered roads. Demme's film may progress toward harsh, punctuated violence toward the end, but the film's underlying faith in the naivete of the characters shines through in its ending. Which brings me to another point: I love how Demme uses the same actors and collaborators, mostly normal-looking, non-Hollywood folk, to give the film an authentic, down-home feel. Cinematographer Tak Fujimoto, Charles Napier, Tracey Walter (Jack Nicholson's henchman in "Batman"), Talking Heads-member David Byrne (Demme directed their concert film "Stop Making Sense") and in a stroke of the film's bizarre genius, cult reggae singer Sister Carol (who sings "Wild Thing" in the middle of the street like a hip Greek chorus as the end credits roll): all of these performers contribute to one of our finest director's finest film.

Rating:
Summary: An Underrated Gem
Review: Something Wild is one of my all-time favorite films. It title is perfect--a wild, exhilirating ride from start to finish (with a great soundtrack to boot). Melanie Griffith and Jeff Daniels have a crackling chemistry, and it is showcases the two actors doing their very finest work. Ray Liotta was an unknown when cast for this film, and his performance is unbelievably scary (though nominated for a Golden Globe for the role, he should have won an Oscar--you will never forget his role, I promise you). If you're tired of the same old stuff at the movies and on video, you simply must buy it--it's a true original and a great film.

Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: There's not much I can say that nobody else has said.. I just LOVE this movie and always will... ;)

Rating:
Summary: Jonathan Demme creates a Gem!
Review: This endeavor of Jonathan Demme gives you a great precursor to what he had in store for us! This film presents great performances by Jeff Daniels, Ray Liotta and Melanie Griffith. It's by far and away Griffith's best performance to date. The picture moves like lightning is uproariously funny but leaves you with the constant feeling that we're gonna get it from this superb cast and Demme doesn't disappoint! He keeps you on the edge of your seat. Relax and love it! Demme got Laurie Anderson and John Cale to do a superb soundtrack as an added bonus. Wait for Oingo Boingo's Not My Slave!

Rating:
Summary: Jonathan Demme creates a Gem!
Review: This endeavor of Jonathan Demme gives you a great precursor to what he had in store for us! This film presents great performances by Jeff Daniels, Ray Liotta and Melanie Griffith. It's by far and away Griffith's best performance to date. The picture moves like lightning is uproariously funny but leaves you with the constant feeling that we're gonna get it from this superb cast and Demme doesn't disappoint! He keeps you on the edge of your seat. Relax and love it! Demme got Laurie Anderson and John Cale to do a superb soundtrack as an added bonus. Wait for Oingo Boingo's Not My Slave!

Rating:
Summary: Great movie marred by the quality of this VHS editon!
Review: This is a great movie!Too bad the quality of this VHS editon just plain sucks! I 've seen movies cheaper at Target and Wal-Mart that have better quality !Also where is the DVD!please release this great movie on DVD ASAP whoever owns this great comedy movie from the 1980's!

Rating:
Summary: awesome film
Review: this is one of my all time favorite movies. the music is great, but this edition looks like the third generation copy off an old tv.

Rating:
Summary: Waiting impatiently
Review: This is one of my favorite films from the 1980s. It made a big Jonathan Demme fan out of me. I just wanted to echo the above reviewers qustion, when is the DVD going to be released?

Rating:
Summary: Ohmigosh...
Review: Will someone please tell me why this was appropriate for my religion class?! I was told to rent it and write a reflection on it, and am having toruble finding a deeper religious meaning in it. It seems bizarre that this would even qualify as having to do with religion.

Rating:
Summary: one of the great american films from the 1980's.
Review: With only philadelphia and silence of the lambs to refer to, I never could fully understand why Johnathon Demme was so highly touted.But After viewing this film I can see That Demme certainly was an American voice to be reckoned with at one point. This film crackles and gyrates like no other American movie at the time , except for perhaps the categorically similar After Hours.The way this film seems to be so thematically aware of the time it was taking place in is almost revelatory. a true achievement that all too sadly illuminates the sheer and utter waste of Demme's later career, much like what My Own Private Idaho does to that of Gus Van Sant.Plus the great American rock band the Feelies make an unexpected cameo.