Thirty years ago today, O.J. Simpson led the LAPD on a low-speed chase in his white Ford Bronco to precipitate the most surreal, insanely-obsessed over news story of the 1990s. Over on the East Coast, the NY Rangers were celebrating with the Stanley Cup. No wonder Jack Nicholson's new whiskers weren't coming up at the watercooler. "Wolf" seemingly had everything going for it, and was expected to be one of 1994's most-talked about films. That didn't happen. "Forrest Gump" happened. "Speed" and "The Lion King" happened. As a 14 year old boy, I was intrigued by a sexy trailer image of the Joker and Catwoman in a passionate embrace. "Wolf" was definitely for grown-ups, with it's measured pace, publishing-house politics, and melancholic themes about aging and loss of vitality. The film didn't totally flop financially- $131 million was generated worldwide by it's starry leads($65 million in the U.S), but it was largely forgotten in the years that followed. When it entered the afterlife of HBO/Cinemax in '95, I realized something the rest of the world needs to know. "Wolf" is actually amazing.
Jack is surprisingly subdued as sad-sack editor Will Randle, which may have disappointed those expecting an encore of "The Shining"(Stanley Kubrick turned down the directing job) or the show-stopping histrionics of "A Few Good Men". This subversion of expectations ultimately works in the wolfman's favor. How many guys over age fifty are filled with energy and vigor? Jack is one of the few actors in history than can hold your attention with a simple look, and he's blessed with a killer supporting cast. I hope I don't have to tell you that Michelle Pfeiffer was sent from heaven to make Hollywood productions better, and she brings all her beauty and class to Laura Alden, the pouty rich girl and Will's unlikely love interest. Nicholson and Pfeiffer make the most of their witty exchanges, building on a screen relationship that began with "The Witches of Eastwick". There's a version of this movie that focuses more on her hardbitten character. I think we'd all watch that.
But Pfeiffer has a worthy rival for screentime in "Wolf". James Spader is a slimy young corporate creep that also turns into one. Okay, sign me up. I'm sold. I need the DVD nearby at all times, in case streaming availability ever becomes an issue. As if Pfeiffer and Spader weren't enough, the film features an atmospheric Ennio Morricone score and the talents of Christopher Plummer, Kate Nelligan, Richard Jenkins, and David Hyde Pierce("You're my God"). Don't blink or you'll miss a David Schwimmer cameo, the same year that "Friends" premiered.
Oh, and this guy. I have to call attention to Indian actor Om Puri as the spooky decrepit doctor that owns a seven-minute scene with Jack. I assume he's been studying supernatural wolf transformations and sightings for sixty years. It feels good to be a wolf. Power without guilt, love without doubt. Will won't bite him, though. This movie is awesome.
Rick Baker, the greatest make-up man of all time, continues what he started in 1981's "An American Werewolf in London"- the John Landis classic routinely cited as the highpoint of this subgenre. Like Landis, Mike Nichols("The Graduate") wasn't an obvious choice to direct. Nicholson had been nursing Jim Harrison's script since the early '80s, before landing on his "Carnal Knowledge" pal. Rewrites from Wesley Strick("Batman Returns") and Elaine May helped draw Pfeiffer to the project.
"Wolf" has a wild third act designed to appeal to summertime audiences. Most of it's 125-minute runtime is quiet and restrained, a scary movie for people who don't like scary movies. Nichols ditches subtlety for some demon-wolf action that trumps anything in "Twilight". I'm hear to tell you that "Interview with the Vampire" wasn't the only elegant horror film in 1994. As I age and grapple with irrelevance, I'm certain that Will Randle's old-guy insecurities will register even more, but I'll just have to get by without a rejuvenating animal bite and a much younger girlfriend. Nicholson hasn't worked since 2010, and his long absence from movies makes "Wolf" more special(sadly, Nichols died in 2014). So, take a break from monotonous 21st Century IP and fire up this hidden gem the next time it's on Tubi. You'll be howling at the moon.
