Wild Side (1996)

Best movie of this year hands down!

Highly Overrated But Still Good

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

One can describe the core of 'Wild Side' in just two single words: sex + action. It is a receipt that always works.Consquently this film lacks any depth. It just shows a bunch of hyper-people, picturing characters that some among us should like to identify with. If you don't, 'Wild Side' urges you to use the speed-up button on your DVD-playing machine.Positive: this film provides some coherent story, and is able to keep your attention all the way down. Although still far under his James Bond-level, male lead Christopher Walken's credible performance lifts 'Wild Side' from its depths.

Evil money launderer Christopher Walken calls for a $1500 hooker (Anne Heche) who is actually a banker during the day. FBI undercover man Steven Bauer (posing as Walken's assistant) blackmails Heche to cooperate with him in the hopes of bringing Walken down. Of course he also has plans to bring Heche down too (he doesn't tell her that though). Soon Heche meets Walken's super-sexy wife (Joan Chen of "The Last Emperor" fame) and they become infatuated with each other sexually. Walken plans to use Chen as the fall-person so he can leave the country for good with all his money. Tangled little web teases and tantalizes, but ultimately this is a total destruction. The film is cheap (in more ways than one) as most of the filming locations are motel rooms, bathrooms, restaurants and house kitchens. The screenplay goes more towards the soft-core realm than it does toward "Pulp Fiction" or "The Usual Suspects". Totally unsatisfying as Walken's unintentionally hilarious bad guy routine tires fast, Bauer's stupid muscle-bound cop/thug routine bores fast and the two ladies do their best to hide their lack of talent by getting naked together fast. All this is to no avail though. British director Donald Cammell (who had a career where his best work were specials about the music group U2) committed suicide shortly after this film was completed. Turkey (0 stars out of 5).

*SPOILER ALERT* *SPOILER ALERT*I bought the unrated version of this movie. The video box cover has Christopher Walken rubbing his chin while staring at Anne Heche kissing Joan Chen's neck. The movie held promise. Based on this cover, I felt it was reasonable to expect Anne Heche to explore her love for Joan Chen. I was not disappointed.So Anne is a banker by day, hooker by night. It's never the other way around. You know, hooker by day, banker by night. That would be interesting. Anyway, Anne immerses herself in the world of money laundering with Walken and Chen. Anne falls in love with Chen in the process. This leads to the highlight of the movie. During a long lunch and a rendezvous in the bathroom, we see Anne fall slowly in love with the beautiful Joan Chen. This leads to their slow and VERY erotic sex scene. This pleased me. Some women look sexy with short hair and Anne Heche is one of them. She shows us her breasts on several occasions as well which is also a good thing. She is a strong actress as is Joan Chen so that made their falling in love scene that much sweeter. If I had to guess the movie was about anything, I would say it's about finding love where you find it. Anne falls in love with Joan, they have hot sex, and the viewer rejoices.

My comments about Wild Side are mainly for the version of the film that was released in late 2000. I always enjoy a movie that has something odd and strangely compelling about it and Wild Side takes first prize. I am a devoted Christopher Walken fan and I have to say that I love his portrayal of Bruno Buckingham. Oh, if men were only as kinky and strange and wonderful-looking as him. Anyway, the main theme that runs through Wild Side is Sex is Power and without giving anything away, this subject is explored in a very imaginative way. The film has the outer trappings of a soft porno flick complete with lesbian scenes and BDSM. Personally, I am not put off by this sort of thing, however, the mood is dark and enigmatic. This movie is not simply for cheap thrills. For your information, the director/writer Donald Cammell committed suicide in 1996. He wasn't happy with the way Nu-Image edited Wild Side 1 and it is felt that this contributed to his depression and eventual death. His friend/colleague Frank Mazzolla has nearly re-edited every scene for Wild Side 2 and added 20 minutes. I suggest Wild Side 1 is viewed first to appreciate the full flavour of Wild Side 2. The difference can really be seen and I prefer what happens to Bruno in the newer version, too!