I was attracted to this film by several things, particularly the two leads.
Jake Gyllenhaal, who keeps turning in excellent work one after another since "Brokeback Mountain" (2005), is unfairly under-recognised. Of his three collaborators, Heath Ledger is dead but honoured with his hall-of-fame calibre performance in "The Dark Knight" for which he received posthumous honours aplenty, including Oscar. Ann Hathaway has become a most demanded first line female lead in the commercial cinema, and got her own Oscar. Michelle Williams's success is more along the line of a character actor, with an eye-opening portrayal of Marilyn Monroe as well as a recent award-winning portrayal of Gwen Verdon in a TV mini-series, taking both Golden Globe and Emmy. Gyllenhaal, sadly, has only one Oscar nomination, going right back to "Brokeback Mountain". Most unfair.
Similarly, Carey Mulligan had her only Oscar nomination in her major debut "An education" (2010). Since then, she has demonstrated the breadth and depth of her acting talent in a wide spectrum of work. Again, under-recognized. "Wildlife" is in fact her show, with Gyllenhaal gracefully taking a supporting role.
The newcomer, teenager Ed Oxenbould, is acknowledged by critics as a major find. In watching his performance, I can't help but think that two decades ago, this would have been a perfect role for Paul Dano. Interestingly, this movie is Dano's directing debut which won nominations and awards in numerous artsy film festivals (Cannes, Independent Spirit, Sundance), as well as became a top favourite of the TIFF which still hasn't join the rest in giving awards.
Set in Great Falls, Montana in the 1960s, this everyday family story could have happened any time, anywhere. A young family Jerry (Gyllenhaal), Jeanette (Mulligan) and 14-year-old Joe (Oxenbould) has just moved, not the first time and not a happy event. This much is suggested but the audience has not been given the details. Not necessary, I may add.
While the family does not appear to have any difficulty adjusting to the new environment, Jerry soon losses his job as a pro in the local golf club which apparently does not really treat him like a pro. When they call and want him back, Jerry tells Janette "Tell them I won't want to work for people like that. If they call again, I am not interested. It's a teenager's job". He soon takes up a dollar-an-hour fire-fighter job that takes him away from the family, into the mountains, where he is stuck until the fire is put out by fire-fighting effort, or by the coming of snow, whichever comes first. It is usually the latter. Joe, a responsible and level-headed young man, takes up a part-time job at a photo shop and eventually (towards the end of the film) gets promoted. Jeanette, a teacher by profession, experiences difficulties in finding something suitable in the small town. She ends up as a swimming instructor, just because she can swim.
From the above capsule storyline, it can be surmised that Gyllenhaal has somewhat limited screen time. Still, he has a good number of scenes and is excellent as always.
This film is all Mulligan's show. With her husband away, Jeanette gradually develops a relationship with one of her swimming students Warren (a very good Bill Camp), a down-to-earth middle-aged owner of a car dealership. It is easy for her character to be condemned but Mulligan, with her impeccable, nuanced performance, makes the audience understand Jeanette. Understanding, not complete absolution. The marital problem has probably been simmering way before the time frame of the film. And as a mother, she does not hide anything from Joe, evening taking him to Warren's place for dinner. She also keeps a healthy dialogue with her son. In one scene what mother and son are having a bite in a restaurant, she tells him she and Jerry met. "It's probably nice to know that your parents were once not your parents".
As mentioned, Oxenbould is generally considered a great find. From his angle, "Wildlife" can be viewed as a coming-of-age film. This point particularly strikes home at the very last scene. You will know what I mean if you watch the film.
The old school of dramatic storytelling is quite refreshing, especially if you have recently seen too much superheroes, gravity-defying car stunts and hair-raising horror. "Wildlife" is about real, and very ordinary people, three-dimensional and relatable. There is no melodrama, just real life. It could easily be the best film of the year.
The cinematography is also top-notch. One particular scene that stands out is at the mountain fire. The camera starts by showing the forest in the near ground, with only a glimpse of the fire as a small patch at the top of the frame. It then slowly develops into a crane shot, eventually devouring the fire into the entire frame, with its full fury.
Jake Gyllenhaal, who keeps turning in excellent work one after another since "Brokeback Mountain" (2005), is unfairly under-recognised. Of his three collaborators, Heath Ledger is dead but honoured with his hall-of-fame calibre performance in "The Dark Knight" for which he received posthumous honours aplenty, including Oscar. Ann Hathaway has become a most demanded first line female lead in the commercial cinema, and got her own Oscar. Michelle Williams's success is more along the line of a character actor, with an eye-opening portrayal of Marilyn Monroe as well as a recent award-winning portrayal of Gwen Verdon in a TV mini-series, taking both Golden Globe and Emmy. Gyllenhaal, sadly, has only one Oscar nomination, going right back to "Brokeback Mountain". Most unfair.
Similarly, Carey Mulligan had her only Oscar nomination in her major debut "An education" (2010). Since then, she has demonstrated the breadth and depth of her acting talent in a wide spectrum of work. Again, under-recognized. "Wildlife" is in fact her show, with Gyllenhaal gracefully taking a supporting role.
The newcomer, teenager Ed Oxenbould, is acknowledged by critics as a major find. In watching his performance, I can't help but think that two decades ago, this would have been a perfect role for Paul Dano. Interestingly, this movie is Dano's directing debut which won nominations and awards in numerous artsy film festivals (Cannes, Independent Spirit, Sundance), as well as became a top favourite of the TIFF which still hasn't join the rest in giving awards.
Set in Great Falls, Montana in the 1960s, this everyday family story could have happened any time, anywhere. A young family Jerry (Gyllenhaal), Jeanette (Mulligan) and 14-year-old Joe (Oxenbould) has just moved, not the first time and not a happy event. This much is suggested but the audience has not been given the details. Not necessary, I may add.
While the family does not appear to have any difficulty adjusting to the new environment, Jerry soon losses his job as a pro in the local golf club which apparently does not really treat him like a pro. When they call and want him back, Jerry tells Janette "Tell them I won't want to work for people like that. If they call again, I am not interested. It's a teenager's job". He soon takes up a dollar-an-hour fire-fighter job that takes him away from the family, into the mountains, where he is stuck until the fire is put out by fire-fighting effort, or by the coming of snow, whichever comes first. It is usually the latter. Joe, a responsible and level-headed young man, takes up a part-time job at a photo shop and eventually (towards the end of the film) gets promoted. Jeanette, a teacher by profession, experiences difficulties in finding something suitable in the small town. She ends up as a swimming instructor, just because she can swim.
From the above capsule storyline, it can be surmised that Gyllenhaal has somewhat limited screen time. Still, he has a good number of scenes and is excellent as always.
This film is all Mulligan's show. With her husband away, Jeanette gradually develops a relationship with one of her swimming students Warren (a very good Bill Camp), a down-to-earth middle-aged owner of a car dealership. It is easy for her character to be condemned but Mulligan, with her impeccable, nuanced performance, makes the audience understand Jeanette. Understanding, not complete absolution. The marital problem has probably been simmering way before the time frame of the film. And as a mother, she does not hide anything from Joe, evening taking him to Warren's place for dinner. She also keeps a healthy dialogue with her son. In one scene what mother and son are having a bite in a restaurant, she tells him she and Jerry met. "It's probably nice to know that your parents were once not your parents".
As mentioned, Oxenbould is generally considered a great find. From his angle, "Wildlife" can be viewed as a coming-of-age film. This point particularly strikes home at the very last scene. You will know what I mean if you watch the film.
The old school of dramatic storytelling is quite refreshing, especially if you have recently seen too much superheroes, gravity-defying car stunts and hair-raising horror. "Wildlife" is about real, and very ordinary people, three-dimensional and relatable. There is no melodrama, just real life. It could easily be the best film of the year.
The cinematography is also top-notch. One particular scene that stands out is at the mountain fire. The camera starts by showing the forest in the near ground, with only a glimpse of the fire as a small patch at the top of the frame. It then slowly develops into a crane shot, eventually devouring the fire into the entire frame, with its full fury.