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IMDbPro

The Wild Life

  • 1984
  • R
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
3K
YOUR RATING
Eric Stoltz, Lea Thompson, Chris Penn, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, and Jenny Wright in The Wild Life (1984)
A high-school wrestler parties with his buddy at a swinging-singles apartment complex.
Play trailer1:52
1 Video
29 Photos
ComedyDrama

A high-school wrestler parties with his buddy at a swinging-singles apartment complex.A high-school wrestler parties with his buddy at a swinging-singles apartment complex.A high-school wrestler parties with his buddy at a swinging-singles apartment complex.

  • Director
    • Art Linson
  • Writer
    • Cameron Crowe
  • Stars
    • Chris Penn
    • Ilan Mitchell-Smith
    • Eric Stoltz
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Art Linson
    • Writer
      • Cameron Crowe
    • Stars
      • Chris Penn
      • Ilan Mitchell-Smith
      • Eric Stoltz
    • 24User reviews
    • 21Critic reviews
    • 32Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:52
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos29

    Eric Stoltz, Lea Thompson, Chris Penn, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, and Jenny Wright in The Wild Life (1984)
    Rick Moranis and Jenny Wright in The Wild Life (1984)
    Eric Stoltz and Chris Penn in The Wild Life (1984)
    Eric Stoltz in The Wild Life (1984)
    Chris Penn in The Wild Life (1984)
    Eric Stoltz and Chris Penn in The Wild Life (1984)
    Lea Thompson and Hart Bochner in The Wild Life (1984)
    Lea Thompson and Hart Bochner in The Wild Life (1984)
    Chris Penn, Michael Bowen, and Ángel Salazar in The Wild Life (1984)
    Eric Stoltz, Chris Penn, and Lee Ving in The Wild Life (1984)
    Ilan Mitchell-Smith in The Wild Life (1984)
    Jenny Wright in The Wild Life (1984)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Chris Penn
    Chris Penn
    • Tom Drake
    • (as Christopher Penn)
    Ilan Mitchell-Smith
    Ilan Mitchell-Smith
    • Jim Conrad
    Eric Stoltz
    Eric Stoltz
    • Bill Conrad
    Jenny Wright
    Jenny Wright
    • Eileen
    Lea Thompson
    Lea Thompson
    • Anita
    Brin Berliner
    Brin Berliner
    • Tony
    Rick Moranis
    Rick Moranis
    • Harry
    Hart Bochner
    Hart Bochner
    • David Curtiss
    Susan Rinell
    Susan Rinell
    • Donna
    • (as Susan Blackstone)
    Cari Anne Warder
    • Julie
    Robert Ridgely
    Robert Ridgely
    • Craig Davis
    Jack Kehoe
    Jack Kehoe
    • Mr. Parker
    Simone White
    • Brenda
    • (as Jennifer White)
    Beth McKinley
    • Robin
    Michael Bowen
    Michael Bowen
    • Vince
    Ángel Salazar
    Ángel Salazar
    • Benny
    Randy Quaid
    Randy Quaid
    • Charlie
    Dick Rude
    • Eddie
    • Director
      • Art Linson
    • Writer
      • Cameron Crowe
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The actor who appears at the party scene claiming to be the father of Chris Penn is Leo Penn, his real father.
    • 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.
    • Quotes

      [repeated line]

      Tom Drake: It's casual.

    • Alternate versions
      The UK video version was cut by 1 min 7 secs to remove all footage of nunchakus and to edit a scene where a cigarette is lit by an ignited aerosol can.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: The Wild Life/Garbo Talks/The Bear/Windy City (1984)
    • Soundtracks
      Wild Life
      Performed by Bananarama

      Courtesy of PolyGram Records

    User reviews24

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    a nice silly meaningless film
    Sometimes I don't want to watch a classic film. No thought provoking drama, or a witty snappy comedy. Sometimes I just want to watch a silly little meaningless film on a rainy or snowy day. This is the film to watch.

    It has some good talent in it who were just getting started. That is always interesting to see. The story is this, kid(Eric Stolz) leaves high school and wants to move out on his own, trouble ensues. Freaky friends(Chris Penn, Rick Moranis), unattainable girl(Lea Thompson) and a over nagging family is all featured here. There is also a nude scene in a bar, so beware. There is a minor storyline about the little brother(Ilan Mitchell-Smith) who befriends a Vietnam vet who he starts looking up to, and later learns a little too much about his past.

    So if you want to give your mind a rest, your sick with the flu, snowed in or just feeling kind of silly, watch this movie and enjoy. I do own this movie and have enjoyed seeing it about 8 times now.
    helpful•8
    0
    • timmauk
    • Jan 9, 2001

    Top picks

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 28, 1984 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Wild Life
    • Filming locations
      • Torrance High School - 2200 W. Carson Street, Torrance, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $11,020,375
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,001,400
      • Sep 30, 1984
    • Gross worldwide
      • $11,020,375
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 36 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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    Eric Stoltz, Lea Thompson, Chris Penn, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, and Jenny Wright in The Wild Life (1984)
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