Wolf (1994)

Director:

Mike Nichols

Writers (WGA):

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

Release Date:

17 June 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Fantasy | Horror | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

Inside every man there are two people-one good, one beast.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Wolf | Werewolf | Publisher | Co Worker | Toilet

Awards:

2 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

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

MPAA:

Rated R for language and werewolf attacks.

Runtime:

125 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS (8 channels) | Dolby SR

Certification:

Canada:14A (Ontario) | Iceland:16 | South Korea:15 | Philippines:R-18 | Netherlands:12 | Netherlands:16 (DVD rating) | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:15 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R (Approved #32419) | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

The movie's release was delayed for 6 to 8 months to re-shoot the entire third act.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Raymond Alder walks up to the horses, we see the middle horse wearing a blanket, few seconds later, the blanket is gone, then the next shot the middle horse has the blanket back on.

Quotes:

Roy: How many investors do we have?
Will Randall: I don't know. Haven't called any yet.
Roy: But you want me to say it anyway?
Will Randall: Yes.
Roy: Second thing: Is any of this true?
Will Randall: Not yet.
Roy: You are my God.

Movie Connections:

References "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (1986)

Brilliant visuals and excellent acting create a very underrated film.

I saw this film when it first appeared in the cinema and I can remember my disappointment at the wolf scenes. Now, five years on, I realise what a gem this film is.

The cinematography is very well done, providing slick shots throughout which still hold their own against current films. The acting is very good with James Spader oozing sleaziness with every single look, Michelle Pfieffer playing a hardened woman, and Jack Nicholson being, well, Jack Nicholson, but hairier.

The opening sequence grabs you straight away, stock shocks, but they work fantastically, from then on I found myself impressed on just about every following scene.

Nicholson is very good at underplaying the beginning of his transformation as he starts to discover his newly heightened senses, but he comes into his own when his powers bring him new found confidence and self assurance.

Some of the wolf effects are a little cheesy, and the appearance of David Schwimmer playing a cop caused me to flash into Friends mode - he even has a friends-like line, could he _be_ anymore Ross like? Aside from these little niggles the film has an excellent love story with fantastic interaction between Nicholson and Pfieffer with some wry dialog. It's got great lighting and very good cinematography throw in a superb Morricone soundtrack and a cool ending and you've got a great film.