Something Wild1986
Something Wild (1986)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Boasting loads of quirky charm, a pair of likable leads, and confident direction from Jonathan Demme, Something Wild navigates its unpredictable tonal twists with room to spare.
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Movie Info
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Cast
as Charles Driggs
as Lulu / Audrey Hankel
as Ray Sinclair
as Larry Dillman
as Irene
as The Country Squire
as Peggy Dillman
as Tracy
as Peaches
as Motorcycle Cop
as Used Car Guy
as Irate Chef
as `Dad'
as `Rose'
as Frenchy
as Motorcycle Dog
as Charlie's Secretary
as Graves' Secretary
as Richard Graves
as TV Newscaster
as Motel Philosopher
as Himself
as Hitchhiking Cowboy
as Hitchhiking Kid
as Hitchhiking Kid
as Guitar Player
as Junk Store Gal
as Junk Store Gal
as Country Squire Bulldog
as Donna Penski
as James Williams
as Kevin Stroup
as Stylish Reunion Couple
as Counter Man
as Stylish Reunion Couple
as Guido Paonessa
as Chloe
as Robbery Victim
as `Nelson'
as Harmonica Slim
as Choir Girl
as Cowboy Maitre d'
as "Darlene"
as Motorcycle Driver
as Police Officer
as Police Officer
as Police Officer
as Police Officer
as Homicide Detective
as The Girl in 3F
as `Dottie'
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Critic Reviews for Something Wild
All Critics (35) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (31) | Rotten (4) | DVD (1)
It begins with a meet-cute and ends with a murder, and sandwiched in between those emotional extremes are romance, regret and revenge.
Jonathan Demme's picaresque joyride across the American landscape is still arguably the best thing he's ever done.
Demme observes the human eccentricity that underlies the corner-store banalities of Middle America with warmth and loving detail; while a magnificent rock soundtrack and faultless performances from Daniels, Griffith and Liotta ensure pleasures galore.
The film's principal difficulty is E. Max Frye's original screenplay, which is better thought out in terms of its narrative than of the characters.
Demme is a master of finding the bizarre in the ordinary... This is one of those rare movies where the plot seems surprised at what the characters do.
Despite the quirky trappings, Something Wild is often as tame as its star couple, a pair who scream Ivory soap and plenty of Miracle Whip.
Audience Reviews for Something Wild
Somehow this one passed me by and what a mistake that has been for me. The best I've ever seen Jeff Daniels and Melanie Griffith, they play a couple who "go wild" for a minute, taking us along for the typical romcom ride, however more comically sophisticated.The landscape is an America rarely seen in film, one that I recognized as real though it was 30 years old. Really a great film! And then Ray Liotta shows up. Jonathon Demme, the director, should go far. And a to die for soundtrack.
Super Reviewer
Original rating of 3 stars holds after rewatch. Hadn't seen this one since the 90's. It's a patchy 80's film with some fun fashions and situations, but it's not amazing. Melanie looks much better with the black wig on, too, I have to say. The short blonde hair is horrific!
Super Reviewer
Sort of a more up to date version of 'After Hours' with a more extreme, loud and in your face storyline as Daniels is dragged from one humiliating scene to another by wild child Griffiths who at first seems determined to get Daniels into trouble. Sure enough Griffiths character slowly gets Daniels in all heaps of bother as they evade checks and steal money from stores, its kinda predictable but not as uneasy watching as 'After Hours' as its more 'out there' and regular people are less likely to do that sort of thing haha Casting is abit off for me in this as Griffiths never was much to look at in my opinion and she hardly comes across as a law breaker whilst Daniels has never really been a good actor from day one haha. Things get better acting wise when Liotta turns up as the crazy jealous ex-con but the plot gets alittle out of hand too as things go from light hearted comedy to dark and uncomfortable, as only Liotta knows how, and the film becomes less enjoyable really.
Super Reviewer
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