The captivating return of Twin Peaks to our screens a year ago has reminded many as to the vibrancy of David Lynch’s creative talent. An acquired taste for some, to others there is (warranted) reverence for his distinct approach to filmmaking. While many of his efforts such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet plunge into nightmarish depths, Wild at Heart sets itself apart in his filmography—undeniably Lynch, but driven by a romance for the ages. Not just a winner of the Palme d’Or at Cannes in 2002, it’s also a showcase for two of the most memorable performances committed by its leads, Nic Cage and Laura Dern.
Synopsis:
Adapted from the novel by Barry Gifford, Wild At Heart stars Nicolas Cage (Leaving Las Vegas, Adaptation) and Laura Dern (Inland Empire, Jurassic Park) as Sailor and Lula, a pair of young lovers on the run from Lula’s mother Marietta (Dern’s real-life mother Diane Ladd, in an Academy Award®-nominated role). Sailor and Lula’s journey takes them into the dark heart of America, where dangers and temptations lurk … and where only their love can truly protect them. But even their all-consuming passion may not withstand the sinister presence of Bobby Peru (Willem Dafoe in an unforgettable performance).
Watching David Lynch’s work can often be challenging. The darker recesses of his mind are brought to life onscreen, often breaking that thin veneer of life to show what lies beneath. Be it the horrors of the American suburbs in Blue Velvet, the unraveling mind of a fearful new parent in Eraserhead, or puncturing the dreams of Hollywood in the noir-esque Mulholland Drive. Wild at Heart is simplistic in its central conceit, a steamy love story about two kids, both brought up in the wrong part of town, who found that all they truly had was each other, so they decide to leave their past behind and embrace their love. Thus begins a road trip to start a new life, both determined to outrun anyone who tries to tear them apart. A road movie of the ilk of Natural Born Killers, Badlands, and Bonnie & Clyde, there is a Lynchian vein of darkness wrapped around it, a film peppered with the weird, abstract elements that characterize his works. It’s a fairytale romance where these star crossed lovers have to contend with a motley crew of relatives, cowboys, scientists, and assassins. Cartoonish visions and fantastical interludes abound, along with references, sometimes subtle but mostly overt, to Lynch’s appreciation for The Wizard of Oz.
Cage and Dern are captivating here, the former as the bad boy channeling Elvis and the latter as his magnetic partner in crime. Both elevate figures that in another work would be cliched, instead making them vibrant characters that sit perfectly at the center of this. Around them, notables such as Willem Defoe, Crispin Glover, Diane Ladd, Isabella Rossellini, and Harry Dean Stanton inhabit an absurdist orbit, adding to the film’ss potency. Lynch, adapting the tale from a novel by Barry Gifford, clearly has a adoration for this pair. Wild at Hart is often ugly, painting a violent and surreal portrait of America, but this meanness is assuaged by the central love story. It’s perhaps Lynch’s most optimistic feature, in spite of his continued embrace of more abstract ideas and imagery. It’s a gleefully abstract experience than delivers a jolt of affirmation for love, in the face of so much adversity.
The Package
The release from Shout Selects looks wonderful. Warm visuals, texture, and detail impress, while a natural grain is present. Perhaps the best presentation of the film I’ve seen. Recommendation is further enhanced by a plethora of special features.
Special Features Highlight — Deleted Scenes:
Running nearly 80 minutes in length, this is a wealth of deleted/extended scenes from the film cut together from a variety of sources, so quality does vary. Most of it seems to give extra time to flesh out the menagerie of supporting characters, or let them embrace weirdness even more. More than this, it offers up a window into Lynch’s approach to editing. Fascinating viewing.
Other special features:
- Interview With Novelist Barry Gifford: Around 30 minutes in length, the author talks about how much he enjoys Lynch’s take on his book, and also discusses the fates of Sailor and Luna in his other books about the characters.
- Uncensored Bobby Peru Scene: The film originally was rated NC-17, this is the scene that had to be edited to gain a R-rating.
- Love, Death, Elvis, and Oz — The Making of Wild At Heart: A 30 minute making-of documentary that is pretty in depth, covering the prep, production, and release of the film. All the key players, in front and behind the camera, contribute and get into depth about their contributions.
- Dell’s Lunch Counter — Extended Interviews: A collection of interviews, mostly Gifford discussing the inspirations for his original novel.
- Specific Spontaneity — Focus On David Lynch: Short but worth a watch, as crew members discuss working on a set with Lynch.
- Lynch On The DVD Process: Lynch talks about the production process in adapting the film for a home video release.
- Original 1990 Making Of EPK: Formulaic doc made for promo purposes.
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- TV Spots: Short ads.
- Image Gallery: Behind the scenes shots and promo material.
The Bottom Line
Wild at Heart is a love story about a pair of dreamers, dancing their way through an absurdist, dark world. It’s at times brutal, but it’s an aspect tempered by the fire of this unconventional love story, one that sears the mind. Shout! Factory continue to use their Select line to deliver a fantastic treatment of a classic piece of cinema, one that looks sublime, and is brimming with special features.
Wild at Heart was released as part of the Shout Select line on August 21st, 2018.