Introduction
Mysteries are the most difficult genre of movies as once the audience cracks the mystery the movie does not sell. So usually mysteries have other elements to attract the crowd other than just the mystery. John McNaughton just decided to add some really interesting other elements to his mystery Wild Things which brought it into my notice.
The Plot
Sam Lombardo (Matt Dillon) is a high school guidance counsellor in Florida. Kelly Van Ryan (Denise Richards) is one of the students of the school who is a rich spoilt girl. Out of the blue, Kelly accuses Sam of raping her and a case it booked against Sam and he is arrested.
Suzie Toller (Neve Campbell) another alleged rape victim of Sam agrees to testify against him. But suddenly during the case, she turns hostile and the case takes a u-turn in favor of Sam. Kelly’s mom has to conjure up a huge sum of money in an out of court settlement to save further embarrasment for Kelly.
But then things are not always as simple as they look. Sgt. Ray Duquette (Kevin Bacon) is simply not convinced with the case and decides to investigate a bit into it.
I would have loved to tell a bit more of the plot, but seriously I can’t as it would kill the movie. Check out this mystery to find out the devious plot hidden underneath.
Critic’s Viewpoint
Basic Instinct showed the world that mystery wrapped with adequate dose of sex not just sells, but sells like hot cakes. So director John McNaughton borrows the concept from Paul Verhoeven and packs this mystery with some real hot scenes.
The mystery though convoluted does hold you onto your seats. The movie goes from one subplot to another at breakneck pace giving hardly a moment to catch the breath. And just as you catch the breath come the sizzling hot scenes that send the temperatures soaring.
Acting wise Matt Dillon gives a convincing performance as the brain behind the mysery. Neve Campbell as the trailer trash bad girl gives a good performance. But Denise Richards reveals all her talents literally in this movie and leaves very little to the imagination. I liked Kevin Bacon’s restrained performance as Sgt. Ray Duquette.
Director John McNaughton has tried a few things in this movie. I liked the way at the end of the movie when the titles come, the missing pieces of the story are revealed one after the other. Also the movie has a fresh look and feel about it. There is also some nice little dry humor in the movie like when the detective asks ’’What’s a sex crime?’’, pat comes the reply ’’Not getting some!!’’.
The movie is rated R and is strictly out of bounds for kids of any ages for strong sexuality, nudity and violence.
Summary
Although Wild Things borrows some hot ideas from Basic Instinct, it does not manage to reach the levels of the Sharon Stone sizzler.
But, overall I would give this mystery a 4 star rating.