Wolf (1994)

For those who had never seen Jack Nicholson play it meek in a movie, this may be as meek as dude gets (and then it only lasts for about half an hour). In WOLF, Nicholson plays middle-aged softie Will Randall, a mild-mannered hubbie locked in a marriage of indifference. Will is also the editor-in-chief of a respected New York publishing agency that is, until he gets demoted, at which point he assumes this indignant but resigned look. As it turns out, this would only be the first in a series of betrayals, and Will Randall looks to be just another in a long line of easily dismissed victims. Except...

WOLF starts out in a snowy, moonlit scene in which Will Randall, motoring from Vermont to Manhattan, is bitten by a wolf he had accidentally run over. And soon the shocking changes begin to manifest. Will feels strangely rejuvenated, even as he develops extremely heightened senses. Suddenly he's able to eavesdrop from across the atrium, sniff out morning liquor on a co-worker's breath, and hurdle tall walls in slow motion. His newly gained confidence allows him to take charge of his life and even revenge himself on those what done him wrong. And then, one day, a disconcerted Will Randall wakes up, soaked in blood.

Once in a blue full moon, a schlock genre spits out a gem. I happen to think that WOLF is one of the better, smarter entries in werewolf cinema, and I'd even put it up there with An American Werewolf in London, The Howling (Special Edition) and The Company of Wolves. I dig WOLF for the various elements which come correct. For a contemporary film, it wallows in this marvelous gothic atmosphere. There are wicked, unexpected flourishes of humor, and even a smattering of social satire, if one presumes that Will Randall's gradual descent from reserved refinement to uninhibited wolfishness is a metaphor for the predatory, in-the-trenches facet of the New York publishing world.

It's weird seeing Jack Nicholson in an underdog role, but it's very neat seeing his docile, dumped-on character whose traits of "taste and individuality" suddenly become liabilities in his job gaining a huge pair and constructing such a ruthless yet elegant get-back. Nicholson submits a layered interpretation, delivering a fascinating study of a cultured man's growing horror as he succumbs to his baser instincts. The fascinating bits all have to do with that part of him which revels in this turn to savagery. While Nicholson does get moments to chew up scenery, for a good part we're treated to a restrained performance, although, having said that, there's a whiff of that devilish Jack just underneath most of the scenes. Casting dude as a lycanthrope is a no-brainer; there's always been something feral about Jack. And, when he chooses, who else can apply a more baleful, wolfish glare?

Nicholson is supported by sharp performances by Michelle Pfeiffer (still very much in her babedom, in 1994) as surly heiress and wounded soul Laura Alden, in whom Will Randall finds a kindred spirit, and Christopher Plummer who, as Randall's boss and Laura's father, flaunts just enough equal doses of sophistication, despicability and worldly understanding that he invites this ambivalent, just-on-principles form of dislike. And James Spader rocks. James Spader for a while had cornered the market on those oily backstabbling yuppie parts. This is never more exemplified than in his role of Stewart Swinton, Randall's friend and underling, whose calculated smarm and brand of "heat and gossip" contrive to betray Randall in all ways.

Having recently reseen WOLF, I'm again startled that the violence is so low-key. The werewolf scenes are understated, the werewolf make-up not as dynamic or viscerally rendered as, say, that in THE HOWLING or AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON. WOLF instead relies more on suspense and the sense of horror being evoked thru effective use of lighting and score, thru adroit character study and spot-on acting. The disappointing thing is that WOLF, in its climactic scenes, resorts to a typical werewolf fighty fight. And I'm still not quite sure whether I like the ending or not, although the closing shots certainly smack of the darkly poetic. In the final tally, WOLF is overwhelmingly a terrific horror movie, dark and subtle and literate, romantic and wicked funny. So, er, go ahead... take a bite of this (sorry, I groaned too).

This is an interesting film, because it's partly a character study of a tired, middle aged publisher and partly a horror film about werewolves. Jack Nicholson plays a publisher about to lose his job to his friend and protege, who also happens to be sleeping with his wife. He seems too worn out to put up much of a fight, until he is bitten by a dying wolf, and begins to feel as if he has taken on its spirit. He also falls for the incredibly beautiful daughter of his boss (Michelle Pfeiffer). This movie has top notch acting, an intriuging story and a cool ending. I recommend it.

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This review refers to "Wolf"(VHS edition)...

Howling fun with Jack Nicholson, as he clearly marks his territory in "Wolf" A modern take on the wolfman lore, and a thriller/horror film that makes me jump even though I have seen it several times and already know what's coming up.

Will Randall, Editor in Chief of a huge book publishing firm, is an all around nice guy. So nice in fact, that when he hits a wolf on a dark snowy night, on the highway, he tries to move the dead animal off the road. But, get ready to jump, the wolf is very much alive, bites our guy and heads off into the woods to join his pack.

Randall becomes a new man as he slowly goes through the biggest change of life he'll ever know! His senses become heightened, his sleep habits change, he tends to prowl the streets of New York, and the more suitable terrain of Central Park at night,other animals fear him, he's got a new edge to his personality, and yes things are really getting a bit hairy, as he often wakes with blood on his hands and clothes.

Could our guy be responsible for some vicious murders? Can the girl he has fallen for(Michelle Pfeiffer), keep this guy home at nights? Will Jack be doomed to the animal kingdom forever?

It's a fabulous thrill finding out, as Nicholson pulls off his turn at a wolfman wonderfully, in that great Jack style!

This film might not have had the punch it did, without the great cast and crew. Directed by Mike Nichols, these seasoned and talented actors take us on a real thrill ride. Michelle Pfeiffer, as the bad girl who falls for Will the Wolf, James Spader, you'll love to hate him as Will's nemesis, Kate Nelligan, the unfaithful wife(big mistake!), Christopher Plummer, the boss who is subject to the "new" Will's wrath, and Om Puri, the expert on folklore of the wolf, will all have you glued to the film.There are some great shots of New York, and add Ennio Morricone's award winning music to the mix and you are in for a fine horror film.

To sum up, here's a great quote from the film:

Mary:(Will's secretary)"Is the worm turning, Mr. Randall?"

Will Randall: The worm has turned and it is now packing an Uzi, Mary.

Good stuff...get the popcorn poppin and enjoy....Laurie

for more fun thrills and great horror check out:Tremors

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Jack Nicholson stars in this frighteningly good movie as Will Randall, an editor in chief of a book publishing company. The opening scene shows Will driving along an isolated strech of snowy road when suddenly a wolf bolts out in front of his car. The car strikes the wolf, and Will stops to investigate. The wolf, seemingly dead but very much alive, bites Will on the hand.

Will has been demoted in his company; forced to choose between a less desireable position or no job at all. Stewart Swinton, played by James Spader, has received Will's old position.

Meanwhile, Will is undergoing physical changes, such as a heightened sense of smell and hearing, all caused by the wolf's bite. With his heightened sense of smell, he notices a strange smelling cologne on his wife's clothes. He then discovers that his wife is having an affair with Stewart.

Soon, Will is becoming involved in a new relationship of his own with Laura Alden (Michelle Pfeiffer). Laura also happens to be the daughter of Raymond Alden, his former boss, played by Christopher Plummer. As Will and Laura begin to get close, Will begins to show symptoms of being taken over by the spirit of the wolf. As the moon rises, Will decides to go outside and is soon chasing down deer. However, the following morning, Will is completely unaware of what happened the night before. He later learns from an old wise man that the wolf grows inside the man until the first full moon, then the wolf consumes him. Will is given an amulet to wear around his neck to keep the wolf spirits at bay.

The realization that he is turning into a wolf finally begins to sink in, and Will handcuffs himself to a radiator in his hotel room to make sure he doesn't hurt anyone else. He's already killed a gang member and he's afraid he may harm Laura, who's become very attracted to him.

A police detective comes to Will's room to tell him that his wife has been murdered. Immediately, Will suspects that he did it while under the influence of the wolf.

After arriving back at Laura's house, Will is locked in the barn to keep him from hurting anyone else when the moon comes out. Laura then goes to the police station to give a statement. When she arrives at the station, Stewart is there, and mysteriously, he's displaying the same wolf traits as Will. It seems that somehow during an earlier confrontation, Will must have somehow bit Stewart. Now Stewart, after losing his newly-gained position back to Will, is out for revenge against him. Which wolf will win?

This is an excellent movie. Jack Nicholson has always been one of my favorite actors, and he was the perfect choice for this role. James Spader and Michelle Pfeiffer are captivating as well. Notice Michelle's yellow eyes and heightened sense of smell at the end of the movie. The action is non-stop and the special effects and wolf make-up are first-rate. Watch this movie and have a howling good time along the way.

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Who ever would have thought director Mike Nichols and stars Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer would participate in a werewolf movie? WOLF is a howling good movie, though, filled with typical werewolf scares and a penetrating script and sharp performances. Nicholson is perfect as a mealy-mouthed senior editor who is booted by boss Christopher Plummer in favor of his protege, the smarmy James Spader (excellent in his typical style). At the beginning of the film, in an eerily staged sequence, Jack is bitten by a wolf that he has just hit with his Volvo. He notices some changes, particularly in his new aggressive behavior, not to mention an enhanced sense of smell and hearing. Wife Kate Nelligan is having an affair with Spader and this sparks some interesting consequences. A couple of plot twists occur, one we should have seen coming and the other a little more ambiguous, but sensible anyhow.

WOLF is a classy horror film, and notoriously overlooked, but it's a good one!

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