WILDER NAPALM
US, 1993, 109 minutes. Colour.
Debra Winger, Dennis Quaid, Arliss Howard, M. Emmet Walsh, Jim Varney.
Directed by Glenn Gordon Caron.
Wilder Napalm is an oddball comedy drama. Dennis Quaid and Arliss Howard portray two brothers, both of whom have pyrotechnic powers. There are flashbacks to their childhood and an accident when they were responsible for the death of a man. As they grew up, one, Wilder, became a respectable citizen, working on the local fire brigade. The other, Wallace, played by Dennis Quaid, goes to the circus and is Biff the Clown, able to do all kinds of pyrotechnic tricks.
Wilder is happily married to Vida who also has some pyrotechnic powers as well. When the circus comes to town, there is a clash between the workers, led by Jim Varney, and the reunion with his brother means that Wallace pays more attention to Wilder’s wife. One night he catches them on the roof and a pyrotechnic battle ensues. There are lots of special effects, one brother trying to outdo the other, Wilder angry with his wife, the wife taking refuge with the police, still loving her husband. Ultimately, there is reconciliation all round.
The film was not particularly popular at the time but it provides a vehicle for the three main stars. M. Emmet Walsh is the local fire chief.
The film was directed by Glenn Gordon Caron, who made some films in the 1990s including Love Affair. However, his work was mainly in television series, as is the work of the writer, Vince Gilligan.
1. The impact of the film? Not a box office success in its time? Something of a cult favourite?
2. The American town, life in the town, the houses, the workplaces, the mart, the circus coming to town? Realistic – with a touch of surrealism? The musical score?
3. The title, the odd-sounding name? The Napalm nickname? The story of Wilder, his boyhood relationship with his brother Wallace, their talent for pyrotechnics, the flashbacks, the memory of the death of the man? Wallace going on his own way? Wilder not using his powers? His marriage to Vida (and her pyrotechnics)? Their love? His being in the booth, reading the magazines, on the fire brigade, his work – especially putting out Vida’s fires? Wallace coming to town, the clashes with the troupe, the clashes with Rex about the electric connections? The clashes with Wallace? Wallace and his wife? His being out, the bingo, finding them on the roof, his conclusions, getting on the mower, riding all night? His fight with Wallace, around the house, using his powers after Wallace’s challenge? The damage? The fire in the house? With the circus and the fair, merry-go-round, ferris wheel? The notes from Vida? The final confrontation with Wallace, making peace?
4. Vida, her background, fires, the ankle bracelet and her confinement to home? Feeling imprisoned? Her love for Wilder? Curiosity about Wallace? His coming on to her, her being on the roof, denial of any misconduct? Her reaction to Wilder’s being on the mower, not having his breakfast? The fight with Wallace? Her going to the police? The notes? The reconciliation?
5. Wallace, seeing him as a clown, his tricks, the touch of malice, the cheeky boy? His work with the team, with Rex? Promising to go to Hollywood? His coming to town, taking off the clown’s mask? Meeting Wilder, taunting him? With Vida, on the roof? His getting down, confronting Wilder on the mower? Their fight, his taunting Wilder about his powers? Using the powers? The destruction, the house, the fair and the carnival? With Rex? The continued promises? Eventually going to Hollywood – and the interview on the David Letterman Show?
6. The local fire brigade, the fire chief, the police? The exasperation with Vida, the continued calls? Wilder on board to put out the fires?
7. The carnival company, Rex, his work, the clashes with Wilder at the park? His loyalty to Wallace, wanting to go to Hollywood? The various members of the troupe?
8. The overall impact of this film – as a drama, brotherly love and hatred, comedy, mix-ups? And the special effects for the pyrotechnics?
