Something Wild (1961)

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Something Wild (1961)

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One of the most aggressively strange films I've ever seen, and at the same time also one of the most understated. It's a film where events, even the most horrific and strange, simply happen, and the audience is left to interpret quite a bit. Also one of the few films where its long periods of silence are ruled by the actors and are not purely director-driven. The acting is some of the most piercing and amazing; every line, every look loaded.

At face value, this film is somewhat "culturally questionable" and "problematic", but the more I thought about it, the more, really, it just WASN'T– what it is is complex and weird and often inexplicable– just like the actions of real people. Strange to see the cinematographer of Metropolis work so well with this obviously actors-studio inspired film. The film's subtext, and the film is entirely subtext, somehow increases the tension tenfold; there were several times it took me twenty minutes to go "OH that is what this character meant in that scene before", and not in a NOW A BIG REVELATION kind of way, but in a quiet epiphany, and that's one of this film's main strengths.

Evidently Aaron Copland, on his 80th birthday, when New York was doing some kind of big celebration in his honour, he was asked what piece of his he would like to have performed– his request was for a screening of Something Wild, and HOT DAMN he did a great job with the score here. This film also has, by far, my favourite Saul Bass opening.

amazon.com

A strange mix of realism and dreamy symbolism, played out in a sweltering, grimy New York City. Carroll Baker's portrait of a psychologically tortured rape victim is one of the most honest, vivid ones I've seen within that category, and Ralph Meeker, excellent as well, pulls off the impossible task of making his shadowy character both charismatically intriguing and repellent―two performers who were sadly undervalued during their careers. Sure to piss-off the most dogmatic of the woeful "politically correct" set (they don't enjoy anything), Something Wild's strange, illogically romantic spiral down into violence and madness, and eventually love (?), surely marked it as one of the most unusual dramatic offerings of 1961…and within that context, it's still quite arresting today. I'm highly, highly recommending Something Wild―a must-see for fans of the stars and this genre.

DVDtalk

Believe it or not, my mother took me to the drive in to see this movie with her in the early 60's. At the time the drive-in was the place to go to cool off during family arguments or in times of extreme boredom. I was only about 10 at the time, but now 40 years later I still remember this film, and researched IMDB to find it again. I have not seen a recent copy, and understand that it is not available for purchase, but I think it would be a fine addition to classic black and white film history, so I hope it is re-released on video or DVD. Even as a young girl I was haunted by Carole Baker's character, not understanding exactly what had happened to her, but realizing that the love she developed with Ralph Meeker was somehow sad, but sweet and deeply emotional at the same time. I remember how desolate the character of Ralph Meeker was, and his apartment reflected this barren soul. They were two people who hurt desperately, and could only relieve their pain by coming together and sharing their emotionally tortured souls. I recommend you watch this movie if you get a chance.

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Something Wild (1961)

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Something Wild (1961)

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Something Wild (1961)

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Something Wild (1961)

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Something Wild (1961)

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Something Wild (1961)

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Something Wild (1961)

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Something Wild (1961)

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Something Wild (1961)

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