Wildlife (film)

Wildlife is a 2018 American drama film directed and co-produced by Paul Dano, in his directorial debut, from a screenplay by Dano and Zoe Kazan, based on the 1990 novel of the same name by Richard Ford. It stars Carey Mulligan, Jake Gyllenhaal (who also co-produced), Ed Oxenbould, and Bill Camp.

Wildlife
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPaul Dano
Screenplay by
Based onWildlife
by Richard 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 the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2018,[2][3][4] and began a limited theatrical release in 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 three Independent Spirit Awards, including Best First Feature and Best Female Lead for Mulligan.

Plot

In 1960, Jeannette and Jerry Brinson have recently moved to Great Falls, Montana, with their teenage son Joe. Tensions build after Jerry is fired from a job as a golf pro at a country 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 an automobile 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 to Portland, 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

Production

Development

In July 2016, it was announced that Paul Dano would adapt Richard Ford's novel with a script he had co-written with Zoe 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 by June Pictures and Nine Stories Productions.[8]

In September 2016, it was announced that Jake Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligan would star in the film.[8] American composer David Lang wrote the score.

Filming

Principal photography took place in Montana and Oklahoma (due to concerns with the winter weather in Montana).[9]

Release
Carey Mulligan at TIFF showing (September, 2018)

The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2018.[2][10] Shortly after, IFC Films acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.[11] It screened at the Cannes Film Festival on May 9, 2018.[12] It also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2018,[13][14] the New York Film Festival on September 30, 2018,[15] the Woodstock Film Festival on October 13, 2018, and the New Orleans Film Festival on October 18, 2018.[16] Wildlife was released in the United States on October 19, 2018.[17]

Reception

Critical response

On review aggregation website Rotten 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] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 80 out of 100, based on reviews from 41 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[19]

The New York Times critic Glenn Kenny called Wildlife a "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 for RogerEbert.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's Owen Gleiberman called 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 for Vulture gave 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's Jordan Hoffman gave 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

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

The release includes interviews with director Paul Dano, screenwriter Zoe Kazan, actors Carey Mulligan and Jake 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 a Film at Lincoln Center conversation from 2018 between Dano and novelist Richard Ford about the film's source material and a booklet with an essay by critic Mark Harris.[25]

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2018Cannes Film FestivalCaméra d'OrWildlifeNominated
2018Sundance Film FestivalGrand Jury PrizePaul DanoNominated [26]
2019Broadcast Film Critics AssociationBest Young PerformerEd OxenbouldNominated [27]
2019Independent Spirit AwardsBest Female LeadCarey MulliganNominated [28]
Best First FeaturePaul DanoNominated
Best CinematographyDiego GarciaNominated
2018London Film FestivalFirst FeatureWildlifeNominated [29]
2018Torino Film FestivalBest Feature FilmPaul DanoWon [30]
2018Zurich Film FestivalBest International Feature FilmNominated [31]
2018Las Vegas Film Critics SocietyBest FilmWildlife9th Place [32]
Youth in Film - MaleEd OxenbouldWon

References
  1. "Wildlife (2018)". The Numbers. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  2. Debruge, Peter (November 29, 2017). "Sundance Film Festival Unveils Full 2018 Features Lineup". Variety. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  3. Gleiberman, Owen (January 20, 2018). "Film Review: 'Wildlife'". Variety. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  4. McCarthy, Todd (January 20, 2018). "'Wildlife': Film Review | Sundance 2018". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  5. McNary, Dave (July 29, 2016). "Paul Dano to Make Directorial Debut With Indie Drama 'Wildlife'". Variety. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  6. Smith, Nigel (September 23, 2016). "Jake Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligan to star in Paul Dano's Wildlife". The Guardian. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  7. Maniglia, Valentin (May 16, 2018). "THE SOUND OF CANNES #1". magazine.scoreit.org. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  8. Pedersen, Erik (September 23, 2016). "Jake Gyllenhaal & Carey Mulligan Star In 'Wildlife', Paul Dano's Directing Debut". Deadline. Retrieved October 31, 2016.
  9. Asher, Sally (October 28, 2016). "Movie to be partially filmed in Enid". enidnews.com. Retrieved October 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. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  11. Hipes, Patrick (February 12, 2018). "Paul Dano's 'Wildlife' Acquired By IFC Films After Sundance Bow". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  12. Keslassy, Elsa (April 16, 2018). "'Wildlife' With Jake Gyllenhaal and Carey Mulligan to Headline Cannes Critics' Week". Variety. Retrieved July 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. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  14. "Wildlife". TIFF. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  15. "Wildlife". New York Film Festival. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  16. "Wildlife | New Orleans Film Society". neworleansfilmsociety.org. Archived from the original on September 30, 2018. Retrieved September 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. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  18. "Wildlife (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  19. "Wildlife Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved November 4, 2018.
  20. Kenny, Glenn (October 18, 2018). "Review: In 'Wildlife,' Passions Run Rampant". The New York Times. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  21. Tallerico, Brian. "Wildlife Movie Review & Film Summary (2018) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  22. Gleiberman, Owen (January 21, 2018). "Film Review: 'Wildlife'". Variety. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  23. Edelstein, David. "Wildlife Is Superb — and a Major Moment for Carey Mulligan". Vulture. Retrieved October 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. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  25. "Wildlife (2018)". The Criterion Collection. Janus Films. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  26. Pizzello, Chris (January 22, 2018). "2018 Sundance Film Festival - "Wildlife" Premiere". Enidnews.com. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  27. Nordyke, Kimberly (December 10, 2018). "Critics' Choice Awards: 'The Favourite' Leads With 14 Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  28. "34th Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominations Announced". Film Independent. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  29. Oakley, E. J. (September 27, 2018). "London Film Festival 2018: Wildlife". The Panoptic. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  30. "Wildlife by Paul Dano wins Best Film at Turin Film Festival". Cineuropa - the best of european cinema. March 12, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  31. "Wildlife". Zurich Film Festival. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  32. "2018". Las Vegas Film Critics Society. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
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