The Wild Life (1984)

43% of users liked it
(741 ratings)

Comprised of classic teen movie elements scattered like croutons over a salad, this undistinguished high school drama involves several inconsequential stories at once, set in a seven-day period before the beginning of school. Tom Drake (Christopher Penn, Sean's brother) is a high-school wrestler who… More Comprised of classic teen movie elements scattered like croutons over a salad, this undistinguished high school drama involves several inconsequential stories at once, set in a seven-day period before the beginning of school. Tom Drake (Christopher Penn, Sean's brother) is a high-school wrestler who loves Eileen (Jenny Wright), but she is more than just a little dubious about their relationship. Since her lecherous boss (Rick Moranis) will not leave her alone, men are at a low ebb in her life. Bill Conrad (Eric Stoltz) is a friend of Tom's who has already graduated and who asks him to share his apartment for awhile to help him out financially. Bill then decides to split with his girlfriend Anita (Lea Thompson), who is suddenly too young for his new status as a high-school grad. Miffed at his rejection, Anita starts a liaison with David Curtiss (Hart Bochner), without knowing that David is married and a father. Other than Bill's 15-year-old brother Jim (Ilan Mitchell-Smith), who follows a Vietnam vet around in adulation, the entire focus of the film is on teen love relationships played by twentysomethings from the vantage point of tensomethings, more or less. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Art Linson
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 28, 1984 Wide
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

An average teen drama like Fast Times at Ridgemont High and other like it. The cast is good, and the characters are interesting, but the story is all over the place. This movie could have been better.

Cast

            Ilan Mitchell-Smith as Jim

            Eric Stoltz as Bill

            Jenny Wright as Eileen

            Lea Thompson as Anita

            Brin Berliner as Tony

            Rick Moranis as Harry

            Hart Bochner as David

            Susan Blackstone as Donna

            Cari Anne Warder as Julie

            Robert Ridgely as Craig

            Michael Bowen as Vince

            Angel Salazar as Benny

            Randy Quaid as Charlie

            Ed Berke as Man Next Door

            William Bramley as Security Officer

            Hildy Brooks as Mrs. Conrad

            Ed Call as Captain of the Plumbing Team

            Dean Devlin as Liquor Store Clerk

            Tony Epper as Redneck Drunk

            Sherilyn Fenn as Penny Harlin

            Karen Haber as Shoplifter

            Kevin Peter Hall as Bouncer

            Tracy Hutchinson as Poker Girl #2

            Jack Kehoe as Mr. Parker

            Leigh Lombardi as Stewardess

            Barbara London as Sales Girl

            Chris Penn as Tom Drake

            Gary Riley as Kid

            Ashley St. John as Stripper

            Ben Stein as Surplus Salesman

            Tommy Swerdlow as Dork

            Keone Young as Japanese Bowler

            Cameron Crowe as Cop #2

            Leo Penn as Tom's Dad

            Jessica Rains as Woman Next Door

            Dick Rude as Eddie

            Lee Ving as Installer

            Ted White as Redneck Drunk

            Nicky Beat as Punker

            Sue Bowser as Girl at Party

            Beth McKinley as Robin

            Danny Tucker as Cop #1

            Reginald H. Farmer as Reggie

            John Linson as Donut Kid

            Francesca 'Kitten' Natividad as Stripper

            Jennifer Dorr White as Brenda

            Nancy Wilson as David's Wife

            Ron Wood as Refrigerator Raider
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