WOLF

US, 1994, 125 minutes, Colour.
Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Spader, Kate Nelligan, Christopher Plummer, Richard Jenkins, Eileen Atkins, David Hyde Pierce, Prunella Scales.
Directed by Mike Nichols.

Wolf is a modern day werewolf drama. Power and manipulation are at the core of the film. Star, Jack Nicholson, begins by playing against type as an editor who values integrity above commercial success. In an accident on the road, he is savagely bitten by a wolf and begins to undergo strange transformations, personality traits as well as developing a cut-throat cunning in the jungle of the corporate world.

Nicholson is excellent as the man tormented, who battles a magnate (Christopher Plummer), finds himself betrayed by his wife (Kate Nelligan) and his friend and protogee (James Spader doing his sycophantic villainy particularly well). But he is supported by the rebellious daughter of the magnate (Michelle Pfeiffer).

The material is an updated treatment of old wolf man movies (one remembers Lon Chaney Jr) and is given the full budget treatment by Mike Nicholls (Virginia Woolf, Graduate, Postcards from the Edge, Catch-22). This turns it into a drama for adults about identity and the pressure of the '90s, an unexpectedly mature treatment of what is usually associated with horror stories.

1.An intelligent horror drama? Horror genre used for exploration of the '90s, individuals, society, the business world? The strong cast?

2.New York City locations, the frequent visions of the city? Urban story? Central Park? Homes, offices? Real/unreal? The Ennio Morricone score?

3.The use of effects - and building them up for the finale with the horror expectations?

4.The title, the focus on wolves in tradition? Human fear of wolves? Animal irrationality? Unbridled instinct? Werewolves? The cinema tradition of werewolf films? The visual presentations of metamorphosis?

5.Psychological dimensions of wolf stories, folklore, the beast and innate evil, the possibility of the animal instinct touching human good? The symbol of the wolf, the visual transformation, eyes, teeth, fur? Power and strength, leaping? Destructive? A cosmic symbol? The beast?

6.The prologue, Will driving, the ordinary citizen, the suddenness of the impact with the wolf? Seemingly dead? The rapid biting? Will's rational reaction, going to the doctor, speaking about it freely, sceptical?

7.Will presented as a good man of the '90s? Working as editor for 30 years, the friendships with Maude, Mary and Roy? Mary and her loyalty? Roy and his blind devotion? The situation of the takeover, loyalties? Stewart and his obsequious treatment of Will? Charlotte and her support of Will? Stewart and his adapting his praise to everyone's expectations - for example, Maude? Will and Alden, the party and his behaviour, going for the walk, the new job, being done out of a job? The prospect of unemployment at his age? The eeriness of disturbing the horses? The encounter with Laura? Discovery of who she was? His anger at Stewart, Stewart and his tactics? Charlotte and her anger in the car?

8.The effect of the bite on Will, the growing of the hair and his using the scissors? The long sleep? The food? Making love with Charlotte - and the animal in him? The message on the tape, going to see Stewart, the discovery of the truth about Charlotte and Stewart? Betrayal? Moving?

9.His angry reaction, the wolf touching into the evil side of him? The authors, getting Mary and Roy to get the lists, visiting Alden and the lawyer, the ruthless confrontation, his success? Telling Stewart, his disbelief, urinating on his shoes, his territory? Charlotte visiting the hotel and pleading to come back?

10.Laura and the second meeting, disturbing the horse, the fall, the clash with her father, her going to the meagre lunch, their talking, his clear insights into her character, the surface beauty and nothing beyond? The later meal, the growing relationship? Her caring for him, especially as wounded? Her disappointment with her disappearance, the phone calls? Laura seeing Charlotte in the lobby? Nursing him, the plans? For the future, his alibi?

11.Will becoming the wolf, going out, the transformation (and the use of Jack Nicholson's features rather than elaborate makeup)? Having no memory? The killing of the deer, upsetting Laura? The confrontation in Central Park and the fingers of the mugger? Charlotte's death and the possibility that he killed her? The mud on his shoes?

12.Stewart, his character, wheeler dealer, Alden and his criteria of taste and individuality? Stewart as exploiter? His continued plotting? Going to the police, the confrontation with Laura, following her to the house, transforming into a wolf, the viciousness of his killing the guards, the fight with Will, Laura shooting him?

13.Laura and her chaining Will? His visit to the doctor, the discussions about being a werewolf, the doctor and his age, wanting him to transform him, his refusal? The amulet? His decision to wear the amulet to save Laura? Taking it off to save her life? His surface and seeing beyond? The fight with Stewart - his escape into the forest and his being transformed into a wolf?

14.Alden and his ruthlessness, Laura and her background, drugs, dealing? Pricking handcuffs? The discussions with the police? The police and their questioning, investigations? Her final decision to go and join Will as she was transformed into a wolf?

15.The beauty and the beast theme, the overtones of full moon? Human beings and their heightened animal awareness? This exploration of ancient myth in the context of '90s economics and ruthless, humans devouring humans sophisticated society?