Something Wild (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]

Something Wild is somewhat of a lost gem and leave it to Criterion to select it for a new and wonderful transfer. It is by far and away the best thing that Griffith has ever done. She's gritty, intelligent, ironic and never plays for schlock. She was very well directed by Demme, appearing controlled and reserved in her character's journey. The veiled references to Louise Brooks and Frida Kahlo in Lulu/Audrey's character are a welcomed and an insidiously wonderful touch. She is brilliantly supported by Jeff Daniels and Ray Liotta. Something Wild also contains the best New Wave soundtrack ever attached to a film, of course assembled by Laurie Anderson and John Cale. Amazing what can happen to a soundtrack when the talent behind it is knowledgeable, pertinent and relevant. The music is integral and perfectly matched to the action. Most importantly, Audrey gets her way, men be damned. She runs the show from beginning to end. Despite her flailing street angst and bad choices, her character is driven by her inner passions and logic from beginning to end. Demme got this right from the get go and never lets Audrey founder in predictable, paternalistic drivel. She sacrifices nothing and emerges strong, resilient and determined. The wild child who gets it right. Daniels is perfectly cast as Audrey's dim-witted, delusional and cuddly cohort. No one could possibly play the brainwashed corporate dork better than Daniels, except, maybe Ed Begley Jr.?

JEFF DANIELS AND MELANIE GRIFFITH PLAY A REALLY GOOD MOVIE AND YOU BELIEVE THEIR CHARACTERS-THERE'S CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THEM AND THE STORY TAKES TWISTS AND TURNS SO YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT IS NEXT--EVEN AFTER RAY LIOTTA STEPS IN, HIS "RAY" IS ONE OF THOSE SCARY GUYS--JONATHAN DEMME CAST "RAY" VERY WELL...WATCH AND SEE...

Well now, we are given a movie that appears to be all buttoned up. Just waiting for Melanie Griffith to muss its hair. You don’t expect it, really, this sun-frazzled little number in its Criterion corset. But give it a second spin and it sits there, comfortable as a scuffed boot, earning its keep. It starts like a dare: Jeff Daniels, about as loose as a British prime minister in a sensible tie, gets scooped up by Melanie Griffith in her black bob and her leopard-spotted chaos, and off they go: diners, motels, roadside escape. Ray Liotta shows up later, grinning with a blade in his pocket, and the air changes. The Criterion folks call it a “kinky comic thriller,” spine 563, 1986, just under two hours. But Demme’s trick, I think, is that he loves his people first, figures them out second. That’s rarer than it should be. The real kick is how "Something Wild" shifts under you. First it’s that secret sigh, the good boy sprung loose, tumbling into a stranger America than he ever mapped. But wildness, honey, it bills you. Griffith isn’t some Louise Brooks mannequin, though she plays one at the start; she’s a woman who built that flicker-and-flirt as a wall, and behind it, something less pretty. Daniels is lovely in his awkwardness: a little dim, a little decent, nowhere near ready. Then Liotta steps in and the whole moral atmosphere changes, like a curtain ripped back. That earlier romp? Fragile as spun sugar. The danger was there all along, just waiting for Demme to turn the houselights up. And America, oh, he stitches it in: the chrome diners, the sad motel beds, the high-school gym with its crepe-paper ghosts, the quiet lives flickering at the edges. It’s not really about two people, is it? It’s about the skin of the country, and the hunger and loneliness and frantic reinvention swimming underneath. That’s what puts it near *Europa Europa* or *The Parallax View*, not because it moves with the same weight or menace, but because it shares their fascination with masks: the roles people slip into, the identities they perform, and how thin the glass is between a lark and a shard. Thinner than the young man ever guesses. I’ve got my quibbles. The first half preens a little too much over the idea of the wild woman waking up the stuffed shirt; you’d almost miss that Griffith’s more than a plot device if Demme didn’t keep slipping her extra weight. And the swerve from giggle to grit, while it lands, lands with a thump; Liotta’s so big he nearly swallows the frame whole for a stretch. Still, flawed, yes. But honest. Funny, scary, and serious in that quiet way you don’t expect from a road picture. Demme loves his fools, even when they’re breaking things. The title promises wildness; the movie knows wildness sends a bill. And sooner or later, the bill comes due. The consequences do not arrive with trumpets. They sit beside you quietly, leaving you a little rattled, a little altered, as if the fun had turned around and shown you its shadow.

Beautiful Blu-Ray of this underrated film. Absolutely riveting and bittersweet somehow, this movie is great and there are a couple nice bonus features on the disc.

My favorite Jonathan Demme movie ever. Jeff Daniels, Melanie Griffith, and Ray Liotta are sensational. Great story of a "square" finding his true inner rebel and manning-up for the first time in his life. Off beat humor abounds. The whole thing just captures an unforgettable vibe. I'm really glad Criterion deemed this one suitable to bear their name, great video transfer too (finally, this movie looks great).

Funny to serious , A woman of the 80's ,and an old fashioned guy. Ray Liota and Melanie Griffith play their roles to a T. There is a message at the end of the movie most may miss. Maybe old fashioned isn't so bad after all. Check out the car and her dress at the end of the movie ! Jeff Daniels changes for the better also .

One of my favourite films

As usual, The Criterion Collection provides a bevy of wonderful films alongside easily the greatest assortment of supplementary materials. But what can be debated are the choices of the films chosen. SOMETHING WILD is by no means a top AFI pick or all-time blockbuster hit or any of the traditional benchmarks of a notable film - except for one. Directed by Jonathan Demme, SOMETHING WILD came at a time when Demme began to take the wonderful tools he had learned studying Hitchcock and working with Roger Corman to more mainstream audiences. After making the highly under-appreciated MELVIN & HOWARD, Demme finally grabbed some national attention with his Talking Heads' documentary STOP MAKING SENSE, and then came SOMETHING WILD. Don't lie to yourself. Loving this movie because Melanie Griffith is topless with handcuffs in the first ten minutes isn't wrong. It's part of the film's undeniable charm. You never know where this film is going to go from one moment to the next. And it includes a handful of wonderful cameos which further film's feeling of a gem that is being rediscovered.

Enough has been said for this 80's classic , so I want to review the Hi Def transfer here for those lucky enough to have a region free Blu-ray player thinking of investing in this Criterion release.. The sticker on the font says "Director Approved" which some might believe to think it has been pain-stakenly restored to a pristine , glowing restoration like many other past Criterion titles lavishly released over the years.. It is very clear to see as the opening credits roll , that very little restoration has been applied.. (if your TV setting are correct with contrast and brightness levels)..and the marks on the lens are still very present and the odd flicker of residue on the film itself are as sharp as the actual picture it-self.. But , don't be put off by this.. The image is sharp and vibrant , and the newly scanned print has a depth of picture that knocks the original DVD image out off the colour pallet.. The colour pallet Director Johnathan used is inspired , and it resonates deeply in the 1st 30 minutes of the film with Lulu's character wardrobe and car furnishings.. The 16:9 picture is rich and the blacks are ink-like and solid , and the skin tones on the faces are pure to the point of seeing the brush marks on the stage make-up through all close-up shots.. The detail is delightful and New York in the 80's looks as vibrant then as one might imagine at a time of a "New Wave" scene , and the clothes and soundtrack take you back to a somewhere "up-beat" , and the 1080 picture quality we see is also as up-beat as the films time period itself. The Sound too has a beautiful up-grade to add the texture of the whole package of a great movie.. The new formatted DTS master is lavishly mixed to spilt dialogue and music tracks crisply and sharply , with the ambient sounds in the background there for all to enjoy. "Something Wild" is a film rarely shown on TV networks these days , as fashions and PC attitude changes , so to have this gem given a make-over to its best presentation is , for those a fan of this Movie , been a delight to enjoy in High Definition.. Aside from a little grain here and there , the transfer is perfect and the colour and sharpness alone make this a stand-out film next to may other 1080 picture formatted titles that fail to impress.. The Bonus content could have been better as it has just two short interviews , one with Director The "late" Johnathan Demme who takes us though his memories of making "Something Wild" with many facts that are interesting.. The other interview is with script writer/editor that wrote the original story about the two character's s that met in a Diner.. Its a great shame there is not more to dig into as Criterion excel at finding material of interest to all fans of this style of film , and it would have been fabulous to have had the actors input about their experience , or better still a Commentary track talking though the film filled with anecdotes ..or even to have found just a few humours "out-takes" of which at the time of filming there much have been many.. The Blu-ray is a gem , although not the best value , its content is solid and the best you will probably ever see of this print .. Nothing added or taken away , ..no tweaks or fiddling , .. Its , by far the BEST version there is to see , will remain testament to those who adore Johnathan's fabulous work..

A great movie that I could not find on any streaming services.

Some people"over-analyse" this film; to me, its a great story which doesn't need justifying , vindicating or explaining! The casting director is the one who should receive the plaudits , because, without even any one of any actor was missing from the final line up, would make for a lesser film! I would love to be a fly on the wall, at any reunion the cast ever have!

Love this movies even better in hd