tavm
This is yet another movie I missed the first time out that I finally got to see online just now. Jack Nicholson encounters a wolf on the road on the way home when his car hits it. He stops to look at the animal laying down when he gets bitten by it. That should tell you where that's going to. Anyway, he's an editor-in-chief at a publishing house where his job is in jeopardy because of it being bought by Christopher Plummer. James Spader is Nicholson's protégé, Michelle Pfeiffer is Plummer's daughter who takes a shine to Jack. And Richard Jenkins is the police detective investigating the killings that happen. Nothing more to say except this was quite a measured take on the horror film as helmed by Mike Nichols who usually did comedies and dramas. No surprise makeup artist Rick Baker was involved considering his previous work on An American Werewolf in London. By the way, here it's referred to as a "demon wolf". Great music score by Ennio Morricone. Nothing more to say except I thoroughly enjoyed Wolf. P.S. Look for David Hyde Pierce, Allison Janney, and David Schwimmer in small roles.
utahman1971
I do not care who the heck interprets the werewolf but it is not a werewolf. Wolf does eat humans because they are wild and are hungry but this is pure change of a human turning into wolf. Every time they do a movie about werewolf and they turn into wolf, is just annoying as hack.It was not hard to tell a difference. Just because a director and producer calls it a werewolf does not make it one. Nothing like American Werewolf In London. I think that movie is a lot better than this one. I could never watch any of the twilight movies.Saw this in the theater but was ticked off to think it was a werewolf movie but really isn't and if it is, then someone has a bad way of thinking of werewolf at that. Not even scary either. More of a chick flick between a man and women that finds out the man is a human eater.
utgard14
Jack Nicholson plays a middle-aged book publisher, bitten by a wolf during the full moon, who undergoes a physical and psychological transformation just as his life seems to be falling apart around him. A different kind of werewolf movie but an interesting one. Nicholson does a good job, despite being somewhat miscast for the role of a nebbish. Once the transformation begins and this man starts to show his newfound wolf side, it's a role right up Jack's alley. James Spader is a treat as the sleazy villain. Michelle Pfeiffer looks as pretty as ever and has decent chemistry with the much-older Nicholson. The script is clever and fun. Rick Baker's low-key makeup won't please many horror fans but I think it was perfectly suited for this type of film. Really this isn't the kind of werewolf movie for the average horror fan who wants strong visuals and lots of violent action. It's not scary, either, in case that wasn't obvious. It's a werewolf movie for people who want something outside of the ordinary.I really liked this one and I gotta say I didn't expect to when I first saw it years ago. I'm not a big Mike Nichols fan. The kinds of films he made are not the kinds of films I tend to enjoy. I'm not saying they are bad films or that he was not a talented director. He made some classics that I did like to watch, although the idea of rewatching any of them is not particularly appealing to me. So, take my opinion on Nichols into account when I say that this is my favorite Mike Nichols movie. No, I'm not saying this is a better film than "The Graduate" or "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" or anything crazy like that. But I enjoy watching this movie more than any of his relationship dramas. The interesting thing is that, underneath the supernatural elements, this is a story about a man's mid-life crisis. That's exactly the sort of movie you expect Nichols to make, only this time the story is told in a less prosaic way by making it a werewolf movie with the subtext and dark humor that comes along with that.
SnoopyStyle
Will Randall (Jack Nicholson) hits a wolf while driving on a snow covered road. As he checks on the animal, it bites him on the hand. Will's job is in danger when the publishing house gets taken over by wealthy Raymond Alden (Christopher Plummer). His underling Roy (David Hyde Pierce), protégé Stewart Swinton (James Spader) and author Maude Waggins (Prunella Scales) all vow to support him. Alden demotes him to eastern Europe while giving his editor-in-chief job to Swinton. It turns out that Swinton had pitched vehemently for the job behind his back. Will is tired and meekly accepts his fate. Then he starts to change. His heighten sense of smell uncovers his wife Charlotte (Kate Nelligan) cheating with Swinton. He starts a relationship with Raymond's daughter Laura (Michelle Pfeiffer) with Raymond's disapproval. He seeks out Dr. Vijay Alezais (Om Puri)'s help with the animal spirit possession. With his new powers, he takes revenge on Swinton and his wife. When his wife turns up dead, Detective Bridger (Richard Jenkins) investigates.Director Mike Nichols is trying to dig into the mental transformation of the werewolf character. On the surface, this could be fascinating with Nicholson being so obviously wolf-like. Pfeiffer is not winning in this sour role. Spader is as always sleazy. Plummer gives a run-of-the-mill effort. Nicholson is bitten with the opening credits and his transformation isn't as compelling as it should. Horror fans are probably bored with the first half and unimpressed with the weak effects. On the other hand, Nichols fans won't find the acting that special. Nicholson peeing on Spader is a nice move. The movie is too long. The tension and the dread isn't there. I don't sympathize with anybody here. It is fun to see David Schwimmer in a small role right before he gets Friends but not much else is fun in this movie.
AD
