Warning: This movie is pretty difficult stuff to watch...particularly to folks who have themselves been victims of abuse. The story easily could make any people uncomfortable or worse...so keep this in mind before watching "Something Wild".
Writer/director Jack Garfein featured his wife, Caroll Baker, in the lead in this story. It begins with Mary Ann (Baker) coming home one evening when she is assaulted by some pervert. She doesn't tell anyone but instead comes home, bathes and tries to go about her life. But she's deeply traumatized and soon she disappears from her mother's home. Now, she's on her own and living in a dumpy apartment. After a while, memories of the assault are so severe that she tries to kill herself but is rescued by Mike (Ralph Meeker). At first he seems like a great guy...her benefactor. However, it soon becomes apparent he's a weirdo and had god knows what in store for her, as he locks her in his apartment and won't let her go.
This movie is life two disparate stories stuck together. The first, about the assault, is very much ahead of its time and daring...and a very good portrayal of the trauma and post-traumatic reactions. Carroll Baker is marvelous in this. The other part is about the weird guy...and his overwrought acting which left me confused and annoyed. And, while I generally love Ralph Meeker, here he's pretty terrible when he goes through his odd spasms on camera....see the film and you'll see what I mean. While I am sure Garfein was going for something profound, the overall film just comes off as goofy and strange. An interesting movie to watch because of its subject matter and a great film for aspiring writers and directors as there is minimal dialog in the film....no easy thing to achieve...but also a film that will leave many film viewers confused and baffled...especially since the film seems to romanticize Stockholm Syndrome!
Writer/director Jack Garfein featured his wife, Caroll Baker, in the lead in this story. It begins with Mary Ann (Baker) coming home one evening when she is assaulted by some pervert. She doesn't tell anyone but instead comes home, bathes and tries to go about her life. But she's deeply traumatized and soon she disappears from her mother's home. Now, she's on her own and living in a dumpy apartment. After a while, memories of the assault are so severe that she tries to kill herself but is rescued by Mike (Ralph Meeker). At first he seems like a great guy...her benefactor. However, it soon becomes apparent he's a weirdo and had god knows what in store for her, as he locks her in his apartment and won't let her go.
This movie is life two disparate stories stuck together. The first, about the assault, is very much ahead of its time and daring...and a very good portrayal of the trauma and post-traumatic reactions. Carroll Baker is marvelous in this. The other part is about the weird guy...and his overwrought acting which left me confused and annoyed. And, while I generally love Ralph Meeker, here he's pretty terrible when he goes through his odd spasms on camera....see the film and you'll see what I mean. While I am sure Garfein was going for something profound, the overall film just comes off as goofy and strange. An interesting movie to watch because of its subject matter and a great film for aspiring writers and directors as there is minimal dialog in the film....no easy thing to achieve...but also a film that will leave many film viewers confused and baffled...especially since the film seems to romanticize Stockholm Syndrome!