The Wild Life (1984)

Eighties teen romp involving Bill and his new apartment, Jim and his rebellious antics, Tom and his crazy self, and Anita with her older man David.

Director:

Art Linson

Writer:

Cameron Crowe

Stars:

Chris Penn, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, Eric Stoltz

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chris Penn	...	Tom Drake (as Christopher Penn)
Ilan Mitchell-Smith	...	Jim Conrad
Eric Stoltz	...	Bill Conrad
Jenny Wright	...	Eileen
Lea Thompson	...	Anita
Brin Berliner	...	Tony
Rick Moranis	...	Harry
Hart Bochner	...	David Curtiss
Susan Rinell	...	Donna (as Susan Blackstone)
Cari Anne Warder	...	Julie
Robert Ridgely	...	Craig Davis
Jack Kehoe	...	Mr. Parker
Simone White	...	Brenda (as Jennifer White)
Beth McKinley	...	Robin
Michael Bowen	...	Vince

Storyline

Eighties teen romp involving Bill and his new apartment, Jim and his rebellious antics, Tom and his crazy self, and Anita with her older man David.

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Plot Keywords:

teen | adultery | railroad yard | police | pipe bomb | 

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Taglines:

From the creators of 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High" - something even faster!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 September 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Attention Délires!

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$9,500,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the documentary on the 2005 DVD and Blu-Ray editions of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Ben Stein refers to this movie as a sequel to Fast Times at Ridgemont High, although it is not officially considered one. Cameron Crowe wrote both films.

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Goofs

When the guys are driving to the strip club, you can clearly see a cop car blocking a side street to prevent any cars from interrupting the filming on the main street they are driving on.

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Quotes

[repeated line]
Tom Drake: It's casual.

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Connections

References Apocalypse Now (1979)

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Soundtracks

"FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH"
Written by Stephen Stills
Performed by Buffalo Springfield
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

"...after Les Girls, you'll never be the same again."

While I hold its predecessor, "Fast Times At Ridgemont High," as a standard to which other teen comedies should be compared, "The Wild Life" is one of the better lesser known films from that time-and a worthy sequel, if you can call it that. I believe its tagline reads, "From the makers of FTARH, something even faster." This definitely holds true. Though it may lack the depth of the former which tackles issues like first dates, teen sex, and abortions, "The Wild Life" is, nonetheless, a great flick. It's pure chaotic fun, especially due to Chris Penn's over-the-top character, Thomas Drake. If Spicolli was high on coke instead of weed, he would be Drake. Eric Stoltz, in his first major role, is great as the straight-laced Bill Conrad. The two characters work well off one another. Think a younger, hipper Odd Couple, complete with 80's gloss. Outside of them there are so many other great things about this film worth mentioning. Lea Thompsom has never looked cuter, especially during the scenes of her working at the donut shop. Jenny Wright is just delectable and fun to watch. Rick Moranis plays a great nerd/perv who is dying to get in her pants. Thomas Drake's wrestler buddies are hysterical, especially Benny, the little Puerto Rican guy, who says some pretty memorable lines. One in particular that he yells out during a night out at a strip club had me on the floor the first time I saw it. That's saying something! Finally, the movie ends with one of the best 80's party scenes on film, ever. Look out for special appearances by Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones, Leo Penn (Sean and Chris Penn's dad), and a random Michael Jackson look-alike at the party. Throw in a score by none other than the man himself, Eddie Van Halen, and you can't go wrong. For Van Hagar fans, keep your ears open for riffs that would be found on such albums as 5150, OU812, and For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.

If anything disrupts the flow of the movie it is a small subplot involving Randy Quaid as a burned out Vietnam vet. It just seems out of place and unnecessary. Other than that, it's near perfect. If your a fan of mindless but fun 80's movies and have not yet seen this one, you're in for something special. RENT IT NOW!!!

p.s.-The credits say Cameron Crowe has a cameo as one of the cops in the film. Does he have his back turned during his scene because I have yet to find him. Someone please help me.