"Something Wild" Review

 

by Daniel White

Right from the get-go, director Jonathan Demme telegraphs in Something Wild (1986) that we'll be hitting the road. As the opening credits roll, so does his camera, circling and gliding over the waterways surrounding New York City. It's an invigorating start to this exciting, well-paced comedy-drama.

Jeff Daniels surprises as Charlie Drakes, an investment banker whose quiet act of rebellion (skipping out on paying for his lunch) attracts the attention of our unconventional heroine, Lulu (Melanie Griffith). Sensing she may have met a kindred spirit, she picks Charlie up, sending him on the ride of his life.

Though Griffith has been handed the showier role, and is quite good, this is really Daniel's film and he's terrific. From reluctant accomplice to an avenging swain, he never hits a false note. I came away from the flick feeling the same way about Jeff Daniels as I did about the seemingly strait-laced Charles Drakes: I never knew he had it in him. Ray Liotta shows up about halfway through as Griffith's psychotic, estranged husband, Ray. A sociopath obsessed with Audrey (Lulu's real name), Liotta is unnerving, injecting a level of menace into the movie.

To his credit, Demme's ability to shift gears is commendable. From a sweet, quirky road-movie romance to a violent thriller, he deftly guides the film. Demme is a meticulous overseer when choosing his supporting players, and musical soundtrack as well. Both have been carefully crafted, filled with oddball picks that work. Nothing's been left to chance, yet everything feels fresh. Scenarist E. Max Frye has handed Demme an extremely well-written screenplay that clicks. A story that is driven strictly by character, Something Wild has something akin to the finely-constructed Hollywood movies of old.

Everyone involved is doing their best and it pays off - the movie is an entertaining jaunt that rarely disappoints. Ultimately, it's the story of Sleeping Beauty, only here, it's the prince who is awakened. With music from, among others, The Talking Heads, and cinematography by Tak Fujimoto, Something Wild is currently streaming on Tubi.