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Rebound Reviews: "Wild Things"The most highly publicized aspect of the film is its nearly exploitative approach to sexuality. It is at once sexy and problematic in its depiction of lesbianism. The infamous threesome scene sizzles, but it also features Sam egging the girls on, indicating that their kissing (and more) is for his pleasure, not theirs. In another scene, Kelly and Suzie fight viciously (in a pool, no less), and then embrace passionately. Unfortunately, Duquette is lurking in the bushes and taping the action (because he is supposedly investigating), thus inserting the male gaze directly into a moment that otherwise only involves the two women.
The Kelly/Suzie relationship is the most ambiguous part of the movie. It is implied, at least until the shocker at the end of the film, that both are acting under Sam's authority, especially the lovesick and confused Kelly. Yet there is clearly an attraction between the two women, evidenced by the pool scene (neither one was aware of Duquette's presence with the camera). Unfortunately, this attraction is always framed in relation to a male character. Part of the issue at hand is Kelly's character. She's presented as a vapid, wishy-washy girl, hopelessly in love with Sam and willing to go along with anything he says. Sam actually describes her this way when professing his innocence to Det. Perez, claiming with all the guidance counselor professionalism he can muster that Kelly is a "sexually confused, angry young girl." Kelly is the source of a great deal of humor in the film (upon loading a "dead" body in the back of her SUV, she proclaims valley-girl style, "Mom would kill me if she knew I took the truck!") and a great deal of its sex appeal as well. (Outside of the James Bond canon, it'd be difficult to name another film that features its heroine half-naked and soaked for such a huge portion of its running time.) Despite its problems, the film is enjoyable in a trashy, guilty pleasure sort of way. And thankfully, the female characters actually aren't as subordinate or stupid as they first appear. In fact, it is "simple" Suzie who masterminds her own plot in an out-of-nowhere twist that adds a welcome dimension to the narrative. It's always nice to see a little girl power winning out in the end. The acting is mostly excellent. Denise Richards is certainly playing to her type, though Kelly is really little more than eye candy. Neve Campbell fares better as the more-than-meets-the-eye Suzie, and plays the dual role beautifully. Bacon and Dillon are perfect as the slippery cons playing authority figures. It's quite fun to watch accomplished performers create characters within characters, and they handle it masterfully here. Similarly, the production values are fantastic, depicting each of the contrasting worlds (the swamp, the town, etc.) with a mix of sweeping panoramas and sweaty close-ups, giving substance to the heat that permeates the film. The aforementioned soundtrack is also fantastic, mixing late '90s hits and Clinton's funky score. The whole affair has the aesthetic of a Chris Isaak music video (but with more alligators). Overall, Wild Things is a delightfully trashy, exploitative thriller. Like Basic Instinct before it, it's sexy, stereotypical and yet somehow manages to ride the fine line between camp and quality. It deserves a place on the movie night play list, if not a permanent spot in your DVD collection. Watch the trailer for Wild Things below: |
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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media
Wild Things
This movie is one of my guilty pleasures.
Especially because it has Neve Campbell in it. I <3 Her
The Way The Cookie Crumbles - http://blog.alrightstill.net
No Borders Allowed - http://nba.alrightstill.netGuilty Pleasure!
Neve Campbell
I used to have such a crush on her, and maybe I still do....
*swoon*
I am not ashamed to admit I own this movie ;-)
Me too
No guilty pleasure here. In
The funny thing is, I
Ah yes...
I remember seeing this film. It blew my mind the first time I saw it and it's one of those movie where each time you watch it you catch something new. It was amazing how everyone was manipulated and the timing was so precisely adjusted.
And of course Bill Murray was simply excellent, just the kind of lawyer that I'd like to have.
Wild Things 1, 2, and 3...
I love the original "Wild Things", but two sequels were made, aptly named "Wild Things 2" and "Wild Things 3". Neither sequel has the original cast, but both have plenty of girl action and are definitely worth checking out on DVD. Especially "Wild Things 3" which stars Dina Meyer, she is hot.
i love this movie!
man, I remember waching this with my cousins at our grans when we were little sneaking in the living room to watch it at night, stting with our faces right at the screen bc the sound was so low so it wouldn't wake them up. good times! all i knew then was that i wanted to be in that damn pool with them! this is so so SO one of my guilty pleasures! and the ones that follow wild things 2 and wild things 3:diamonds in the rough are great too. damn, now after thinking about them all so much i'm going to have to pull an all niter tonite and watch all of em!
~*~as soon as Malibu Barbie started datin' Cheer Barbie, I knew something was up~*~
Cheese on Toast...
but I love it! Neve Campbell is all kinds of hot!!!
I'll admit it
What's this "Guilty" you speak of?
Amazing story, incredible cast, original plot twists, and delicious hot actress activity.
That says PLEASURE to me. No guilt involved.
Not guilty at all.
I LOVE this movie. Partially because I love Neve Campbell (and this role is a good prelude/sneak peak of how expertly she handles her character in When Will I Be Loved), but mostly because it kept me guessing late into the night. Late night. I caught it on HBO or some related channel, at a pivotal scene (let's just say it's after the threesome and it totally confused me), and I knew then that I had to watch the whole thing. Since then, I have pushed it on a number of people. They all find it to be everything you've said, campy, melodramatic, perfectly paced, well handled plot wise, and mostly well acted. Plus, Daphne Rubin-Vega rocks. And Bill Murray. Oh, the whole cast!
Their relationship is ambiguous, but I think Suzie loved Kelly (there's evidence in the movie to support that). I really do. I think Kelly felt strongly for Suzie, but I also think she felt similarly for Sam.
Great rebound review (i love these things)! You are spot on ('cept for the guilty part), and this review only reminds me of the reasons I adore this movie. Adore.
Please review Portrait of a Marriage
Here's a rebound TV movie you might want to check out, "Portrait of a Marriage", starring Janet McTeer. Its based on the true life affair between the writer Vita Sackville-West (Virginia Wolff's "Orlando" is based on her) and Alice Keppel (the great grand aunt of Camilla Parker-Bowles). Sackville-West was married to a gay man, in fact, both acknowledged their homosexuality to each other, had two children, and allowed each other to go off and pursue their same-sex loves as long as they kept their marriage in tact. The trouble comes along when Vita falls back in love with a childhood friend, Alice Keppel.
The affair between the two of them is romantic, tragic, and violent; especially when Vita tries to spoil Alice's arranged marriage. What Vita does to Alice is deranged and tragic. What makes it crazier is that its a true story!
It would be interesting to read your opinion on the TV movie. It aired on PBS in the early 1990's but is available through Netflix.
Thanks.
Great Film
Sort of a classic
the sexyinappropriate SOUNDS. I later tried to rent it but couldn't because of my age (13?,14?). The story is definately intriging, and it is a fun movie despite the heavy plot subjects.