THE WILD LIFE
US, 1984, 96 minutes, Colour.
Eric Stoltz, Lea Thompson, Christopher Penn, Ilan Mitchell- Smith, Jenny Wright, Hart Bochner, Rick Moranis.
Directed by Art Linson.
The Wild Life is a follow-up to Fast Times at Ridgmont High, something of a cult film about American youth. The film was written by Cameron Crowe and directed by Amy Heckerling. This time the film is directed by its producer Art Linson, but the screenplay was written by Crowe. It was a surprise in the later 80s when Crowe came up with a much more sensitive screenplay, Say Anything with John Cusack, Ione Skye and John Mahoney.
The film shows youth on vacation, the end of the summer, their way of life in the town, inter-relationships and the preparation for going back to school or college. It has the raunchy touch- and exploits relationships and sexuality and nudity. it also has a lot of tough guy poses. However, the cast went on to better things including Christopher Penn imitation his brother Sean, Eric Stoltz who was to go to Mask and other more serious dramas, Lea Thompson who was to appear in many films in the mid 80s, including Back to the Future series. A lesser example of its kind.
1. Youth films? Popularity in the 80s? The American youth and values?
2. The picture of the town, the ordinary settings, homes, school, lives, the streets etc? Musical score and songs?
3. The title, reference to young people, sowing wild oats etc?
4. The picture of Tom, his place in the town, friendship with Bill and Jim, relationship with Eileen? His parents? Fights, sexual relationships, tough?
5. Bill and Jim, at home, their mother, the father walking out? Bill and his being serious, going to live by himself, Tom and his friends intruding in the motel, the parties, the wreckage, being thrown out? His attraction to the girl in the diner? The clash? Reconciliation, defending her against the policeman?
6. The girl in the diner, her relationship with Bill? The affair with David? Discovering he was married, going to his home? Disillusionment Reconciled with Bill?
7. David as the married policeman, man about town, the affair, deception, callous attitude?
8. Jim and the young boys, being idle during the holidays, making mischief, tough, ironic?
9. Bill, The Shop, the infatuation with Eileen, the relationship with Tom? Emma?
10. Eileen, at work, friendship with the girl in the bar, discussing their relationships, at the shop, the relationship with Tom, his coming to her house, the finale and their living together again?
11. An adequate picture of American youth? Humorous touches? Exploited touches?
