HOLIDAY IN THE WILD
US, 2019, 84 minutes, Colour.
Rob Lowe, Kristin Davis, Fezile Mpela, John Owen Lowe, Colin Moss.
Directed by Ernie Barbarash.
Holiday in the wild is much as it sounds. It is a blend of National Geographic photography of Zambian landscapes and animals with a romance for middle-aged adults.
Kristin Davis has actually worked with elephants and has supported the work in Africa including producing a documentary about the work. Here she plays a vet, her husband suddenly walking out on her, her son going to college, her going to Zambia for a second honeymoon and meeting Rob Lowe who is her guide but also works in the elephant centre.
She is exhilarated by the work and the life. There is an attraction but she is still handling the divorce; he is a widower. Her son also comes to visit but wants to drop out of college, she being upset but he making a plea about following his passion.
Quite a lot of scenes with elephants, an injured baby elephant and its recovery, big elephants – and a final plea at the end of the film highlighting the diminishing number of elephants in the world and asking for support.
1. The title and expectations? The African wild, Zambia? Animal reserves?
2. The New York settings, homes, photographs, ladies who lunch, offices? The vet’s workplace?
3. The contrast with Zambia, Lusaka, the luxury hotels, excursions, flights, the reality of the wild, vegetation, animals? The centre for the care of the elephants? The musical score?
4. Kate, the photos, Christmas cards, Drew and his being busy with his phone, the aftermath, his walking out? Kate shocked? Concern for Luke and his going to college?
5. The second honeymoon ordered, the flight, in the restaurant, the meal for two, the encounter with Derek, her being upset? The flight, meeting Derek again?
6. The work with the elephants, the foundation and support? Derek, Jonathan, their fathers, working in the reserves? The flight stop, the baby elephant, care for it, summoning the carriers, the centre, Kate and her background as a vet?
7. Staying, the tent, her work with the elephants, communication with Jonathan and his encouragement, with Derek, the attraction, her past experience, his being a widower? The time together, his advance, her resistance? The complication of the woman from South Africa – jealousy, and withdrawing the subsidy?
8. The Christmas atmosphere, celebrations, decorations, hymns and Christmas songs, African style? Jonathan, his wife, the cooking, the family? The happy atmosphere? The elephant, going out, finding the older elephant, bringing the baby back?
9. Kate communicating with Luke, the phone, his sudden arrival, his father paying the ticket? His sharing his mother’s work, enthusiasm? Discussions with her about dropping out of college, music?
10. Kate, staying, eventually returning? Her work in New York, the interview for being a vet? The divorce papers? Discussing with Drew about Luke and his passion and ambitions?
11. The happy return to Africa – romance and a happy ending?
