Something Wild (1986)
Y'all ever have a movie get real dark real fast? Not like From Dusk From Dawn "holy shit this crime movie has vampires" dark, but in the way only 80s movies could. Like when 3 Men and a Baby had a cocaine plot. Anyway, Something Wild is a joy that becomes rather violent pretty quick.
The plot is all about following the characters on a journey rather than forcing them into a romcom or noir-style plot. Charlie dines and dashes only to be caught by Lulu (real name Audrey). Neither is a good or bad person, just kinda fucked up. Lulu pulls him in for some handcuff sex, her high school reunion, and a cross country crime adventure that ends with a gnarly bathroom handcuff fight. God bless the 80s for allowing the cover of this to look like a zany comedy.
Melanie Griffith shines. Just a goddamn dream that almost hits that manic pixie line and rides it while sipping on booze in a convertible. Then we meet her mom and learn she lies about everything (Lulu is not her name). As her past comes out, it grounds her and fills out her impulsive silliness with darkness.
Along for the ride is Charlie having a real hero's journey. He's stealing lunch because that's the only thrill he has at first, the new vice president at some company. A real wet blanket asshole that through the love of a good woman, whoops, nope, he gets Audrey and a host of grief. Yet, she gives him joy and things to care about. A focus to face his own dark past secret and find his own life. Jeff Bridges is always welcome, but this role might be his best.
And then we have Ray Liotta. Playing Lulu/Audrey's ex from her home town who just got out of prison, Liotta fills the character with his casual menace and charm. His first major role, it's just Ray Goddamn Liotta. He came to Hollywood fully formed, oozing pure Liotta-ness. When he enters the film it becomes something separate and different than the romcom it started as and is better for it. And even he's hiding a secret for a while, biding his time rather than pretending they are something else like Audrey and Charlie have been. His character provides a foil to bring out their secrets, forging them as a couple by forcing them apart and providing a solid nemesis to be overcome.
A late night staple for my teenage creepy brain, this movie proves that sometimes going back can be great. Check it out.
Here's some random stuff:
John Waters is in this! Randomly playing a fairly normal used car dealer. Made me want to check out Cecil B Demented and see if that holds up.
Audrey's mom Peaches is the best, a wholesome part of the film that proves you can't lie to your mother you heartless bastards.
The best version of "meeting someone you know from the office in the last place you expect." Charlie's coworker is creepy, but at least he's not a rat. Bonus points for the pregnant wife who looks like she might kill the guy.
The gas station guy dressing Charlie might be the best part of the film. If I ever need a gas station makeover, I hope someone says about my glasses, "Keep'em. You're beautiful."
There's a great line about seeing how the "other half" lives, meaning the secret other half of the characters and not some dumb thing about slobs versus snobs.
That last confrontation is brutal and just goddamn wild. Nightmarish in a Fatal Attraction way.
I didn't look it up, but whoever dressed Melanie Griffith in this movie deserved an Oscar. No, I'm not talking about the nudity. Grow up and get some bangles and whatever that last big hat, movie star get up was. I miss her in movies.