Grimossfer
Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%
Siflutter
It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.
Melanie Bouvet
The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.
teodorodontosaurus
It's interesting that even a story with a straight-forward plot like this one, is full of typical Lynch distractors. While those uncanny events and characters don't quite fit with the movie's atmosphere, they're still individually enjoyable; it's just what Lynch said: it's more like a compilation of random events and moments within the movie's context. Also, you cannot get wrong with Nicolas Cage's over-the-top yet natural acting, energetic and charismatic Laura Dern and the creepily funny Willem Dafoe's character.
This is more like a transition between the somehow more accessible previous movies (except "Eraserhead" of course) and the brain madness that's about to come.
fugoffreatard
Out of all the Lynch movies I've seen, this is my second favorite film of his. Right above Blue Velvet and below Mulholland Drive. This director has made some o the most original films I've ever seen. His stories are simplistic, but the way he presents his films are unlike anything I've seen in films. He is able to present his films in a way where is engaging while at the same time very blissful and dream-like. The dream-like elements in his movies gives so much unpredictability in where the story is going. Making his films feel mystical and atmospheric but also very nightmarish. No other filmmaker can encompass this aesthetic more uniquely than David Lynch. Wild at Heart is a film that has all the magic that I love about Lynch in this comedically nightmarish, romantic road movie. It's not his most serious movie if we're judging it solely as a drama. There are elements in the movie that I could understand people not getting into. But for me personally, this is a film that I can get the most enjoyment out of almost all of Lynch's filmography. It doesn't have the same impact that Mulholland Drive had. That movie is where Lynch perfected his craft and made a one of a kind masterpiece. For Wild at Heart, it's a film that embraces the surreal element rather than absorbing within. But upon revisiting and how it resonated with me in a personal sense, this movie is the kind of film that has so much re-watchable value for me. It's nightmarish, it's intense, it's comedic, it's beautiful. The acting is great, Nicolas Cage giving one of his best performance I've ever seen. It's not a film that I would recommend to first time David Lynch viewers. I would recommend them watching either Blue Velvet or Mulholland Drive first, or maybe the Twin Peaks series. Other than that, I truly adore this film. It's almost everything that I can ever ask for from a popular surrealist filmmaker.
bowmanblue
I guess there's probably three types of people when it comes to David Lynch films (1) People who love his work and find it unique, deep and a refreshing change from the Hollywood norm (2) People who find it a pretentious mess, lacking in any real story (3) People who say, "Who's David Lynch?" If you fall into the third category then I guess that jumping into his 1990 film 'Wild at Heart' is as good as any place to start your journey into his twisted mind. For 'Wild at Heart' is quite a 'typical' David Lynch film, in that it's narrative deliberately strays away from being particularly 'linear' and – in many cases – is open to interpretation as to what is actually going on in the story. Much of what you get from a David Lynch film is based on how it makes you feel, rather than the story it tells.The film stars Nicholas Cage, who plays a young man with a – you guessed it – wild streak. He falls in love with a young – and kind of equally wild – seventeen year old (Lynch's favourite leading lady, Laura Dern) and the two of them embark on a road trip across the wastelands of America – much to the disgust of Dern's on screen mother! In fact, rather than just posting a snotty comment on her Facebook status, she goes and hires some weird hit men to 'take care of the situation' (if you know what I mean?). Thus the film takes on a more murderous tone.So, they travel across America meeting one weird person after the next, participating in weird dialogue and perforated by weird s*xual exploits (all of this totally normal for a David Lynch film!). Now, when I talk about Lynch's trademark 'weirdness' I normally refer to not just the dialogue that's spoken, but the WAY it's said. Pauses are drawn out longer than is normal, making conversation deliberately uncomfortable. Then you have the – seemingly random – bursts of dramatic music overlaid across simple actions like a car pulling slowly into a parking space. And that's just the tip of the 'weirdness iceberg' – everything is pretty 'textbook Lynch' and to add an extra bizarre feel to the proceedings, it's loosely based on 'The Wizard of Oz!' (you'll soon pick up the not so subtle symbolism!).Nicholas Cage is allowed to almost run free, which does play well into his 'wild' nature. Dern too goes a little mad sometimes, however I did find her a little annoying from time to time due to her constant screaming that would make 'Willie' from 'Temple of Doom' proud! The rest of the cast pop up here and there, act weird and then go away again – this really is Cage's baby. However, just because we never see Lynch on screen (you'll have to watch 'Twin Peaks' for that – and it's worth it) you can see his fingerprints all over it. His use of fire is nearly as prominent as in 'Twin Peaks.' I guess this is used to denote danger. That's a fairly obvious one, but there are those elements of the film that even a die-hard Lynch fan doesn't understand! So, where do I come down on the three types of people I spoke about in my opening paragraph? Well, as I said, I'm a die-hard fan. I do watch all his stuff and enjoy (most of) it. I like the mood and feel he creates, even if the story does get more than a little confusing. His work is a refreshing change from the 'classic Hollywood narrative' that we're so used to. But, don't get me wrong – his films are hard work! I don't always get what he's trying to say. In 'Wild at Heart' there is at least a main story running through it. This is more than can be said for one of his later films, 'Inland Empire.' That, despite a few moments of 'Lynchian gold' was almost unwatchable when it came to its 'story!' So, if you're a fan of David Lynch's (filmic) work then you should know what you're in for. If you've never seen one of his films before, have a long, hard think about what you've read here before you invest your time into it. And, if you simply hate his work, I doubt there's much here to win you round.Oh, and maybe I should have added a 'fourth' category when it comes to people and their relationship to Lynch's work – (4) People who have seen his cult TV show 'Twin Peaks' and are therefore intrigued as to how his work translates to the big screen. I'll tell you now that 'Wild at Heart' bears little resemblance to the show (besides a fair few of its actors making cameos), so if you're looking for some 'Damn fine cherry pie,' then you won't find it here.
SnoopyStyle
Marietta Fortune (Diane Ladd) sets a man off to kill her daughter Lula (Laura Dern)'s boyfriend Sailor Ripley (Nicolas Cage). Sailor manages to kill the man but he gets imprisoned for almost two years. Lula is there waiting for him when he gets released. They leave Cape Fear and his probation for New Orleans. Marietta sends Johnnie Farragut (Harry Dean Stanton) after them. She also hires gangster Marcello Santos. The couple finds Perdita Durango (Isabella Rossellini) and joins Bobby Peru (Willem Dafoe) in a robbery as they continue their road trip.This is one crazy film. I give full marks to director David Lynch for his audacity and his style. The acting is big and deliberately broad. There are fanciful allusions to Wizard of Oz and other imagery. This is an unique Lynch vision. The craziness in the characters and story simply overwhelm me at some point. I couldn't take the insanity.
