[Publicity photos of characters from this film are available on
the Vortex Technology WWW server via the "Professor Neon's TV
& Movie Mania" URL: "http://www.vortex.com/ProfNeon.html".]
WOLF
A review by Professor Neon
June 12, 1994
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Spader,
Kate Nelligan, Richard Jenkins, Christopher Plummer
Directed by: Mike Nichols
Produced by: Douglas Wick
Written by: Jim Harrison and Wesley Strick
Columbia Pictures; 1994
MPAA Rated: R
Professor Neon's rating (0-10, 5=average, 10=best): 8
Total run time: 122 minutes
Release date: Friday, June 17, 1994
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We all know about werewolf movies. From Lon Chaney, Jr.'s tormented
character in "The Wolf Man" (1941), to David Naughton's "watch him change
before your eyes" portrayal in "An American Werewolf in London" (1981),
we know all too well about the dark side of lycanthropy. But might
there not be benefits as well as problems with being a werewolf? This
question is at the core of Nicholson's portrayal of Will Randall in "Wolf."
Fundamentally, "Wolf" is not a horror film. If you're interested in seeing
non-stop violence and lots of spurting blood, with Jack Nicholson's face
lengthening into a muzzle before your eyes, you're going to be disappointed,
because you won't find those in the film. On the other hand, if you'd be
intrigued by a character study of an already unhappy man who receives an
unsolicited "gift" from a wolf bite, a gift with both "good" and "bad"
ramifications, you should enjoy this movie.
"Wolf" starts off in the obligatory manner--Nicholson's character is bitten
out on a lonely road at night. But upon his return to his (about to be
decimated) job at a New York City publishing house, he begins to
change--very slowly and at first almost unnoticeably. His senses are
heightened, his virility is enhanced, his business sense is sharpened. He
indeed does also have some "problems" at night--but his violence is not at
random, nor are graphic scenes of violence a fundamental part of this film.
The conflict between the positive and negative aspects of the character's
transition is at the heart of "Wolf," and what left me thinking about the
issues for quite some time afterwards.
Michelle Pfeiffer's character (Laura Alden), the daughter of Will's
publisher boss (played by Christopher Plummer), has made a career of
bringing home men her father would find "unsuitable," and has a rather
checkered past (one of her talents is picking open handcuffs). She's drawn
simultaneously to Will's new found power and pain, without initially knowing
why. As you might expect, the interaction between Will and Laura is a
central component of the film.
Director Mike Nichols ("Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf," "The Graduate,"
"Catch-22") and Jack Nicholson have worked together several times
before--perhaps most notably on "Carnal Knowledge" (1971). Whether or not
Nicholson's performance is up to the $15 million reportedly paid him for
"Wolf," it is indeed difficult to picture anyone else playing the role.
Nicholson's intensity is undeniable and uniquely powerful.
Pfeiffer also gives a fine, if somewhat subdued performance, which is in
keeping with the overall tone of the character's personality. James
Spader's role as Will's back-stabbing protege Stewart Swinton is also good.
While make-up effects are kept to a minimum, the special makeup effects that
were needed were aptly provided by Rick Baker, who, as it happens, won an
Oscar for his makeup work in "An American Werewolf in London."
Since it's not a "slash-'em-up" type of film, "Wolf" may not appeal to
some of the younger segments of today's movie audiences. But as a study
of man and the animal within, it leaves us with questions definitely
worth pondering.
[ Professor Neon ]
neon@vortex.com
---
Professor Neon's rating for "Wolf"
(0-10, 5=average, 10=best): 8
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We have a variety of publicity photos and trailers, video interviews, and
related materials for "Wolf." In the near future, we plan to make available
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related materials over the Internet (stay tuned for announcements).
For right now, still photos are the easiest, since the video materials are
rather bulky until we have mpeg video encoding facilities (for example, the
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your email to:
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---------------------------------------------
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