Wolf (1994)

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers (WGA):

Jim Harrison (written by) and
Wesley Strick (written by)

Release Date:

17 June 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

The Animal Is Out

Plot:

Publisher Will Randall becomes a werewolf and has to fight to keep his job.

Plot Keywords:

Rape Attempt | Urban | Urination | Attempted Rape | Male Female Relationship

Awards:

2 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Jack Nicholson	...	Will Randall
Michelle Pfeiffer	...	Laura Alden
James Spader	...	Stewart Swinton
Kate Nelligan	...	Charlotte Randall
Richard Jenkins	...	Det. Bridger
Christopher Plummer	...	Raymond Alden
Eileen Atkins	...	Mary
David Hyde Pierce	...	Roy
Om Puri	...	Dr. Vijay Alezias
Ron Rifkin	...	Doctor
Prunella Scales	...	Maude
Brian Markinson	...	Det. Wade
Peter Gerety	...	George
Bradford English	...	Keyes
Stewart J. Zully	...	Gary

Runtime:

125 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS (8 channels)

Certification:

Philippines:R-18 | South Korea:15 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Iceland:16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Bradbury Building - 304 S. Broadway, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Jack Nicholson had been trying to get this film made with his friend, writer Jim Harrison, for 12 years.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the opening sequence, when Will is driving his Volvo, the sun is setting and the full moon is rising in the same part of the sky. The moon should be black, or be rising on the opposite side of the sun.

Quotes:

Will Randall: You are such a polished ass kisser that it takes my breath away.
Stewart Swinton: I kiss 'em like I see 'em.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Gwok chaan Ling Ling Chat (1994)

"It feels good to be wolf - yes?"

Now HERE is a film to sort out the average from the anything-but-average viewer. The reviews I have read sadden me, as they suggest a respective ratio of 98 : 2

If you cannot see the absolute brilliance and talent that went into this deceptively clever and involving movie, why declare your obvious limitations by writing about it? Of course it was never going to be your average run of the mill lycanthropic bite-fest. Was that ever likely with Mike Nichols directing and Nicholson starring?

The film is a dedication to BELIEFS, to unseen beauty, unacknowledged links and to the predator in all of us. It is a tale of romance and magnificence. Way up there in my own personal top 50 films of all time I could never tire of watching this film and LISTENING..and this word is the key.

HEARING becomes an intrinsic part of Nicholson's transformation after he is bitten by a wolf on his way home one night in upstate New York. He works as senior editor in an upmarket publishing house that is taken over by a conglomerate headed up by Christopher Plummer in one of his superb little Christopher Plummer characterisations. Nicholson's Will Randall is offered the job no-one wants by Plummer to catalyse his hoped-for resignation. The essence of the wolf however already in his blood sharpens his instincts and he takes the fight up to Plummer ultimately forcing a back-down.

Of so many wonderful scenes presented, it is hard to nominate a favorite but that where he meets Plummer's daughter (Michelle Pfeiffer) stands as one of the great verbal exchanges ever put down on film. Up there with Pacino and De Niro in HEAT, Pacino and Keanu Reeves in THE DEVILS ADVOCATE, sparks just fly as the old pro shreds her veneer of impenetrable coldness and gets plenty back, all the time both unconsciously aware of something quite outside their experiences, taking hold somewhere in another dimension.

My personal nomination for stand out scene, is the sequence where Will Randall, concerned and confused as to what is happening to him, consults alternative health doctor Vijay Alezias (so humbly played by Om Puri) who understands what afflicts Randall and explains to him the "nature" of the wolf and the strength it will ultimately bequeath upon him. In a scene so absolutely touching, he proffers his hand to Nicholson and explaining that he is an old man with limited time left asks "Would you honor me with your bite?" How ANYONE could watch that and not be moved to an emotional melt-down I just don't know. The utter confusion reigning then in Randall's expression when he declines is just acting on another level altogether.

James Spader who is consistently one of the most repulsive of actors (maybe thats his talent?) in a litany of warped and twisted roles plays the corporate climber not just happy to take Randall's job, but his friend's wife (smallish role for Nelligan) as well. The washroom scene where Nicholson announces simply "Just marking out my territory" was worth seeing alone!

Many have complained bitterly that the finale descends into a "typical b-grade werewolf movie." Jeez, they ARE WEREWOLVES for God's sake what did you expect Nichols to come up with? a fight to the death with mouse pads? The absolute last scene where Pfeiffer's eyes morph into the wolf was an inspirational touch. Easily one of HER best films!