Something Wild (1986)

A free-spirited woman "kidnaps" a yuppie for a weekend of adventure. But the fun quickly takes a dangerous turn when her ex-convict husband shows up.

Director:

Jonathan Demme

Writer:

E. Max Frye

Stars:

Jeff Daniels, Melanie Griffith, George 'Red' Schwartz

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeff Daniels	...	Charles Driggs
Melanie Griffith	...	Audrey Hankel
George 'Red' Schwartz	...	Counter Man (as George Schwartz)
Leib Lensky	...	Frenchy
Tracey Walter	...	The Country Squire
Maggie T.	...	Country Squire Bulldog
Patricia Falkenhain	...	Charlie's Secretary
Sandy McLeod	...	Graves' Secretary
Robert Ridgely	...	Richard Graves
Buzz Kilman	...	TV Newscaster
Kenneth Utt	...	Dad
Adelle Lutz	...	Rose
Charles Napier	...	Irate Chef
Jim Roche	...	Motel Philosopher
John Sayles	...	Motorcycle Cop

Storyline

The uneventful life of the businessman Charles Driggs suddenly changes when he meets the wild and sexy Lulu. When he accepts her offer to drive him back to his office, she instead takes him out of town and on a trip, leaving behind his old life. Posing as a married couple, Charles and "Audrey" (which turns out to be Lulu's real name) visit her mother and her high school reunion. At this reunion they meet Audrey's violent ex-husband Ray, who has just released from prison. When Ray makes it clear that he wants Audrey back, that is when the real trouble begins.

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Plot Keywords:

woman on top | virginia | anger | scotch terrier | playing a harpsicord | 

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Taglines:

Something Different Something Daring Something Dangerous

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Romance | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 November 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Something Wild

Filming Locations:

Quincy, Florida, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,825,717, 9 November 1986

Gross USA:

$8,362,969

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,362,969

Company Credits

Production Co:

Religioso Primitiva

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some scenes in this movie were filmed in Tallahassee, Florida. Perhaps as an acknowledgment of this, one scene features a large satellite dish which bears the Seminole head symbol of The Florida State University, which is located in Tallahassee.

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Goofs

In the motel scene where Ray throws Audrey into the pool, she goes in with socks and sneakers on. Next shot shows her swimming out barefoot.

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Quotes

Nelson: You really oughta see someone about that nose.
Charlie Driggs: Broken nose ain't gonna kill ya, Nelson.

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Connections

References Rustlers' Rhapsody (1985)

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Soundtracks

Loco de Amor
Written by David Byrne, F.A.S.
Performed by David Byrne with Celia Cruz
David Byrne appears courtesy of Sire Records / EMI Records Ltd.
Celia Cruz appears courtesy of Fania Records

User Reviews

One mood change has been overlooked...

I truly love this movie when I need to totally vanish from real life for a couple of hours. I wholeheartedly agree with the comments about how it goes from fun to serious almost seamlessly, but one part has been overlooked. The visit to Audrey's mother, Peaches, is almost abrupt in its quietude ("Don't call me Lulu, call me Audrey" changes everything), and it makes you wonder how Audrey became as free-spirited as she is. Peaches is no dummy, either... she reads right through Charlie with an air of a woman resigned to never really knowing her daughter. This little visit is the bridge between the fun and scary, the surreal and frighteningly real, and asks more questions than it answers... which works perfectly.