Wikipedia

Wildlife(film)

Wildlifeis a 2018 Americandrama filmdirected and co-produced byPaul Dano,in hisdirectorial debut,from a screenplay by Dano andZoe Kazan,based on the1990 novelbyRichard Ford.It starsCarey Mulligan,Jake Gyllenhaal(who also co-produced),Ed Oxenbould,andBill Camp.

Wildlife
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPaul Dano
Screenplay by
Based onWildlife
byRichard Ford
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyDiego Garcia
Edited by
Music byDavid Lang
Production
companies
Distributed byIFC Films
Release dates
  • January 20, 2018(2018-01-20)(Sundance)
  • October 19, 2018(2018-10-19)(United States)
Running time
104 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$3.7 million[1]

It had its world premiere at theSundance Film Festivalon January 20, 2018,[2][3][4]and began alimited theatrical releasein the United States on October 19, 2018. It received critical acclaim, with praise for Dano's direction and the performances of Mulligan, Gyllenhaal, and Oxenbould. It was nominated for threeIndependent Spirit Awards,includingBest First FeatureandBest Female Leadfor Mulligan.

Plot

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In 1960, Jeannette and Jerry Brinson have recently moved toGreat Falls, Montana,with their teenage son Joe. Tensions build after Jerry is fired from a job as agolf proat acountry club.He is offered his old job back but refuses out of pride, and instead of looking for work, he sleeps in his car and watches the local firefighting efforts against a forest fire raging in nearby mountains. To support the family as Jerry looks for a job, Jeannette takes a job as a swimming instructor (although she tries first to get a job teaching at school). Joe gives up football after school to work part-time at a local photography studio. One day, Jerry decides to take a low-paying job fighting the forest fire, which upsets Jeannette and worries Joe. Jeannette speaks openly about her strained marriage with Jerry to Joe, and the stress of the situation takes a minor toll on Joe's school life.

While Jerry is away, Jeannette tells her son they may have to move to a smaller place as they cannot afford their small rented house. She introduces Joe to Warren Miller, a prosperous older man who owns anautomobile dealership.She says she taught him to swim and he has offered her a job.

Joe is repeatedly left alone as Jeannette spends time with Miller and Jeannette opens up about her dissatisfaction with her husband's restlessness. Joe wakes one morning and his mother is absent. He goes to Miller's car dealership, but the receptionist does not know who his mother is.

One night, after a dinner hosted by Miller, Miller dances with a drunken Jeannette and kisses her; he spends the night at Joe's house, which a shocked Joe discovers later that night. After Miller leaves, Joe confronts Jeannette about the affair. Jeannette does not admit to caring about Miller or no longer loving Jerry, but concedes that the affair will make their life financially better, and she implores Joe to think of a better plan for her. He tells her that he cannot. The next morning, Joe packs up some of his belongings and heads to a bus stop. As the bus arrives it begins to snow, signaling the end of the wildfires, and Joe returns home.

Jerry returns and is met with a lukewarm reception by Jeannette, who reveals that she has begun renting an apartment in town, and Joe is free to stay with her. Devastated and suspecting an affair, Jerry asks Jeannette to admit to her relationship. Furious upon hearing that Miller slept with Jeannette in the family house, Jerry drunkenly goes to Miller's house and tries to set it ablaze. Miller catches him in the act and confronts him, admonishing him about his behavior with Joe present. When an injured Jerry pleads with Joe to help him escape before the police arrive, Joe flees on foot to the police station, where he discovers his father has not been arrested. Returning to the house, he learns from Jerry that Miller will not press charges, but his parents' marriage is over.

Jeannette moves toPortland, Oregon,to teach, while Joe lives peacefully with Jerry, who has become a successful salesman. Jeannette returns spontaneously one weekend to a strained, but polite, reunion, where she learns Joe has been promoted and is on the honor roll. Joe takes his parents to the photography studio, where he requests that they take a family portrait for his sake. An uncomfortable Jeannette is initially reluctant, but accepts, and the family takes one final portrait together.

Cast

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Production

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Development

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In July 2016, it was announced thatPaul Danowould adaptRichard Ford's novel with a script he had co-written withZoe Kazan,and that neither Dano nor Kazan would act in the film.[5]Dano said, "in Richard's book I saw myself and many others. I have always wanted to make films—and have always known I would make films about family."[6]He has also said that this is the first in a series of films he wants to make about dysfunctional families.[7]The film was produced byJune PicturesandNine Stories Productions.[8]

In September 2016, it was announced thatJake GyllenhaalandCarey Mulliganwould star in the film.[8]American composerDavid Langwrote the score.

Filming

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Principal photographytook place in Montana andOklahoma(due to concerns with the winter weather in Montana).[9]

Release

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Carey Mulligan atTIFFshowing (September, 2018)

The film had its world premiere at theSundance Film Festivalon January 20, 2018.[2][10]Shortly after,IFC Filmsacquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.[11]It screened at theCannes Film Festivalon May 9, 2018.[12]It also screened at theToronto International Film Festivalon September 6, 2018,[13][14]theNew York Film Festivalon September 30, 2018,[15]theWoodstock Film Festivalon October 13, 2018, and theNew Orleans Film Festivalon October 18, 2018.[16]Wildlifewas released in the United States on October 19, 2018.[17]

Reception

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Critical response

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On review aggregation websiteRotten Tomatoes,the film holds an approval rating of 94% based on 216 reviews, and an average rating of 7.7/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Wildlife's portrait of a family in crisis is beautifully composed by director Paul Dano -- and brought brilliantly to life by a career-best performance from Carey Mulligan. "[18]OnMetacritic,the film has aweighted averagescore of 80 out of 100, based on reviews from 41 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[19]

The New York TimescriticGlenn KennycalledWildlifea "superb film", calling it "a domestic drama both sad and terrifying". Kenny praised the cast for "exceptional" acting, and said that Mulligan "gives the best performance of any I’ve seen in film this year". He called Oxenbould "an exciting find" and stated of Dano's direction as "meticulous in every respect, which enables him to keep the characters at a remove that is both cleareyed and compassionate. The sharp cinematography by Diego Garcia is ideal for Dano’s purpose. The whole of the film is a potent collaboration in every respect, and a remarkable directorial debut."[20]

Writing forRogerEbert.com,Brian Tallerico gave the film 3.5 out of 4 stars, saying, "This is an accomplished, moving piece of filmmaking, one that cares about its characters and trusts its performers. It comes from a relatively old school of dramatic storytelling but it connects emotionally because of Dano’s tender but confident work and what he’s able to draw from two of the best performers of their generation."[21]Variety'sOwen Gleibermancalled Dano "a natural-born filmmaker, with an eye for elegant spare compositions that refrain from being too showy" and gave the film 4 out of 5 stars.[22]

David Edelstein,writing forVulturegave the film full marks, calling the film "superb", saying "[Dano] gives his actors space so that the rhythms are their own, and they hold us through the tough final scenes and bittersweet ending."[23]The Guardian'sJordan Hoffmangave the film three stars out of five, saying "It is a quiet, subtle story and, as is so often the case when an actor takes their first trip behind the camera, a showcase for terrific performances."[24]

Criterion release

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On February 14, 2020, it was announced thatThe Criterion Collectionselected the film to be released on DVD and Blu-ray.[25]

The release includes interviews with directorPaul Dano,screenwriterZoe Kazan,actorsCarey MulliganandJake Gyllenhaal,cinematographer Diego García, production designer Akin McKenzie, and costume designer Amanda Ford, as well as new conversations on the film's postproduction with Dano, editor Matthew Hannam, and composer David Lang. Also included is aFilm at Lincoln Centerconversation from 2018 between Dano and novelistRichard Fordabout the film's source material and a booklet with an essay by criticMark Harris.[25]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2018 Cannes Film Festival Caméra d'Or Wildlife Nominated
2018 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize Paul Dano Nominated [26]
2019 Broadcast Film Critics Association Best Young Performer Ed Oxenbould Nominated [27]
2019 Independent Spirit Awards Best Female Lead Carey Mulligan Nominated [28]
Best First Feature Paul Dano Nominated
Best Cinematography Diego Garcia Nominated
2018 London Film Festival First Feature Wildlife Nominated [29]
2018 Torino Film Festival Best Feature Film Paul Dano Won [30]
2018 Zurich Film Festival Best International Feature Film Nominated [31]
2018 Las Vegas Film Critics Society Best Film Wildlife 9th Place [32]
Youth in Film - Male Ed Oxenbould Won

References

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  1. ^"Wildlife (2018)".The Numbers.RetrievedJune 3,2021.
  2. ^abDebruge, Peter (November 29, 2017)."Sundance Film Festival Unveils Full 2018 Features Lineup".Variety.RetrievedNovember 29,2017.
  3. ^Gleiberman, Owen (January 20, 2018)."Film Review: 'Wildlife'".Variety.RetrievedMay 23,2018.
  4. ^McCarthy, Todd (January 20, 2018)."'Wildlife': Film Review | Sundance 2018 ".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJune 3,2021.
  5. ^McNary, Dave (July 29, 2016)."Paul Dano to Make Directorial Debut With Indie Drama 'Wildlife'".Variety.RetrievedOctober 31,2016.
  6. ^Smith, Nigel (September 23, 2016)."Jake Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligan to star in Paul Dano's Wildlife".The Guardian.RetrievedOctober 31,2016.
  7. ^Maniglia, Valentin (May 16, 2018)."THE SOUND OF CANNES #1".magazine.scoreit.org.RetrievedJuly 24,2018.
  8. ^abPedersen, Erik (September 23, 2016)."Jake Gyllenhaal & Carey Mulligan Star In 'Wildlife', Paul Dano's Directing Debut".Deadline.RetrievedOctober 31,2016.
  9. ^Asher, Sally (October 28, 2016)."Movie to be partially filmed in Enid".enidnews.com.RetrievedOctober 31,2016.
  10. ^Hayes, Eric (January 21, 2018)."Day 3: Carey Mulligan Embarks on a Frantic Search for Meaning in Paul Dano's 'Wildlife'; Lakeith Stanfield Stars in a Delightful Oddity".Sundance Film Festival.RetrievedJuly 23,2018.
  11. ^Hipes, Patrick (February 12, 2018)."Paul Dano's 'Wildlife' Acquired By IFC Films After Sundance Bow".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedJuly 23,2018.
  12. ^Keslassy, Elsa (April 16, 2018)."'Wildlife' With Jake Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligan to Headline Cannes Critics' Week ".Variety.RetrievedJuly 23,2018.
  13. ^Vlessing, Etan (July 24, 2018)."Toronto: Timothee Chalamet Starrer 'Beautiful Boy,' Dan Fogelman's 'Life Itself' Among Festival Lineup".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJuly 24,2018.
  14. ^"Wildlife".TIFF.RetrievedJuly 24,2018.[permanent dead link]
  15. ^"Wildlife".New York Film Festival.RetrievedAugust 28,2018.
  16. ^"Wildlife | New Orleans Film Society".neworleansfilmsociety.org.Archived fromthe originalon September 30, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 30,2018.
  17. ^Erbland, Kate (July 23, 2018)."'Wildlife': First-Time Filmmaker Paul Dano on How Zoe Kazan Helped Him Make His Passion Project ".IndieWire.RetrievedJuly 23,2018.
  18. ^"Wildlife (2018)".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango.RetrievedOctober 10,2021.
  19. ^"Wildlife Reviews".Metacritic.RetrievedNovember 4,2018.
  20. ^Kenny, Glenn (October 18, 2018)."Review: In 'Wildlife,' Passions Run Rampant".The New York Times.RetrievedOctober 23,2018.
  21. ^Tallerico, Brian."Wildlife Movie Review & Film Summary (2018) | Roger Ebert".www.rogerebert.com.RetrievedOctober 17,2018.
  22. ^Gleiberman, Owen (January 21, 2018)."Film Review: 'Wildlife'".Variety.RetrievedOctober 17,2018.
  23. ^Edelstein, David."Wildlife Is Superb — and a Major Moment for Carey Mulligan".Vulture.RetrievedOctober 17,2018.
  24. ^Hoffman, Jordan (January 22, 2018)."Wildlife review - Carey Mulligan plays flirtatious under big skies in Paul Dano's directorial debut".the Guardian.RetrievedOctober 17,2018.
  25. ^ab"Wildlife (2018)".The Criterion Collection.Janus Films.RetrievedMarch 28,2021.
  26. ^Pizzello, Chris (January 22, 2018)."2018 Sundance Film Festival -" Wildlife "Premiere".Enidnews.com.RetrievedSeptember 27,2022.
  27. ^Nordyke, Kimberly (December 10, 2018)."Critics' Choice Awards: 'The Favourite' Leads With 14 Nominations".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedSeptember 27,2022.
  28. ^"34th Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominations Announced".Film Independent.RetrievedSeptember 27,2022.
  29. ^Oakley, E. J. (September 27, 2018)."London Film Festival 2018: Wildlife".The Panoptic.RetrievedSeptember 27,2022.
  30. ^"Wildlife by Paul Dano wins Best Film at Turin Film Festival".Cineuropa - the best of european cinema.March 12, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 27,2022.
  31. ^"Wildlife".Zurich Film Festival.RetrievedSeptember 27,2022.
  32. ^"2018".Las Vegas Film Critics Society.RetrievedSeptember 27,2022.
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