It all begin with a boring introduction (a closeup one the city with ugly techno music that is makes me think of the 70s...) but it gets better after that. Christopher Walken is great and his speech about power at the end of the movie won't be forgotten (more funny than intelligent do...) Joan Chen and Anne Heche are sooooo cute in one of the best lesbian scene ever made (and they don't even need to be nude to be so cute ! ). Steven Bauer is also excellent ( we hate him, we find him morron and we hope him to die but that's his role and he's doing the job well...and don't worry you will like to see his fate at the end...).
48 Reviews
creatively preverse!
ismae312 December 1999
aside from most peoples opinions i personally liked this film! i found it creative,strange,and erotic! ann's preformance was beautyful and her personia was not only sexy but amazingly well dressed! i say check it out if only for creative sexual fantasy ideas!
Loose story but decent characters
Red-Barracuda22 November 2022
A high-class hooker gets caught between a criminal boss, his enigmatic wife and a sleazy FBI agent. This is one of those staples of 90's movies - the erotic thriller. Its slightly famous for a few things. Its director was the respected Donald Cammell - who was responsible for the classic psychedelic freak-out Performance - he killed himself shortly after this one was released, seemingly partly on account of how the studio cut his movie. Its also famous for having Anne Heche play a lesbian before she came out herself as Ellen DeGeneres partner in the late 90's.
It has a very loose storyline and it's a lot more talky than thrilling, so for this reason the acting is fairly important. We have Christopher Walken in hilarious wig chewing the scenery at every given opportunity as the crime boss, Joan Chen channelling her Twin Peaks mysterious Asian lady persona as his wife, Steven Bauer convincing as a dumb ass in the role of the rapist undercover agent and Anne Heche putting in a pretty strong performance as the central character. Its most famous sequence is probably the love scene between Heche and Chen but its most bizarre one has Walken buggering Bauer to prove a minor technical point.
It has a very loose storyline and it's a lot more talky than thrilling, so for this reason the acting is fairly important. We have Christopher Walken in hilarious wig chewing the scenery at every given opportunity as the crime boss, Joan Chen channelling her Twin Peaks mysterious Asian lady persona as his wife, Steven Bauer convincing as a dumb ass in the role of the rapist undercover agent and Anne Heche putting in a pretty strong performance as the central character. Its most famous sequence is probably the love scene between Heche and Chen but its most bizarre one has Walken buggering Bauer to prove a minor technical point.
absolute Must for all Walken fans
loig722 October 2001
The story goes like this : Donald Cammell died , heartbroken by the producers' typical butchering of his film, which was released as a "straight to late Friday night" sleazy thriller; ...and, with hindsight, it's easy to believe this. Thankfully, the director's assistant was able to re-cut the movie, according to the artist's wishes and, as a result, ... "Wild Side" is a mindsuck ("suck" is not the actual appropriate word I had in mind here ) of a masterpiece.
It grips you from the first scene (what on Earth is going on here, who's what, is the cop bad, is the bad girl good ??), through its barely credible tortuous twists and double-crossings, until the unescapable -and yet unpredictable- end. Followed by another end, of course.
The involvement of the actors, their very limited number -hardly anyone else than the damned foursome dares cross the threshold into Cammell's world- works to perfection, as it introduces some kind of claustrophobic atmosphere (there is supposed to be a world outside these half-lit hotel rooms, but we won't see much of it until the last sequence). These four characters drift in and out, each less trustworthy than the last : past ten minutes, it will be hard to remember who's supposed to be forming an alliance against who. Key word here : intensity. Hey, the, er..., climax of the film involves the -explicitly not homosexual- gangster (almost or not : up to you to find out) raping his male driver, an undercover cop, just to prove his love to a prostitute ! Confused ? Yes, you will be, and that's nothing compared to the actual script : everyone works very hard to double-cross everyone else, not least their lover.
And now, let's tackle the major asset of this film : its acting.
Amazing. By now, it is pretty obvious to everyone that Anne Heche is a truly terrific actress, all ambiguity and secret resolves. She certainly doesn't disappoint her growing number of admirers here. Steven Bauer , who plays the cop, has -quite simply- never been near as impressive as he is here. But the cherry on the cake, the surge after the lollipop, the tour de force extraordinaire, has to be credited to who else but Christopher Walken.
Christopher Walken, as we know, IS Christopher Walken -no introduction needed, but in "Wild Side", he just... delivers his most demented performance to date, if you can start to imagine. His endlessly fascinating ambisexual reptilian face, his weird yellowy skin, his eyebrowless laser eyes -not to forget a hair rock stars would advertise soda for-, the man is scary beyond frightening. He's not deranged, he's from another planet ! Nearly incomprehensible. Let us be very clear here : "Wild Side" is an absolute must for all Christopher Walken fans out there.
There will never be another Donald Cammell film, and that's a real tragedy. Especially when you bear in mind that the man co-authored mandatory-cult-movie "Peformance", yes, the very one "Performance" that sent E. Fox over the edge for a few years. Thanks God, Christopher Walken still walks amongst us lesser mortals (and occasionally steals an entire Tarantino scripted movie by only appearing five minutes).
It grips you from the first scene (what on Earth is going on here, who's what, is the cop bad, is the bad girl good ??), through its barely credible tortuous twists and double-crossings, until the unescapable -and yet unpredictable- end. Followed by another end, of course.
The involvement of the actors, their very limited number -hardly anyone else than the damned foursome dares cross the threshold into Cammell's world- works to perfection, as it introduces some kind of claustrophobic atmosphere (there is supposed to be a world outside these half-lit hotel rooms, but we won't see much of it until the last sequence). These four characters drift in and out, each less trustworthy than the last : past ten minutes, it will be hard to remember who's supposed to be forming an alliance against who. Key word here : intensity. Hey, the, er..., climax of the film involves the -explicitly not homosexual- gangster (almost or not : up to you to find out) raping his male driver, an undercover cop, just to prove his love to a prostitute ! Confused ? Yes, you will be, and that's nothing compared to the actual script : everyone works very hard to double-cross everyone else, not least their lover.
And now, let's tackle the major asset of this film : its acting.
Amazing. By now, it is pretty obvious to everyone that Anne Heche is a truly terrific actress, all ambiguity and secret resolves. She certainly doesn't disappoint her growing number of admirers here. Steven Bauer , who plays the cop, has -quite simply- never been near as impressive as he is here. But the cherry on the cake, the surge after the lollipop, the tour de force extraordinaire, has to be credited to who else but Christopher Walken.
Christopher Walken, as we know, IS Christopher Walken -no introduction needed, but in "Wild Side", he just... delivers his most demented performance to date, if you can start to imagine. His endlessly fascinating ambisexual reptilian face, his weird yellowy skin, his eyebrowless laser eyes -not to forget a hair rock stars would advertise soda for-, the man is scary beyond frightening. He's not deranged, he's from another planet ! Nearly incomprehensible. Let us be very clear here : "Wild Side" is an absolute must for all Christopher Walken fans out there.
There will never be another Donald Cammell film, and that's a real tragedy. Especially when you bear in mind that the man co-authored mandatory-cult-movie "Peformance", yes, the very one "Performance" that sent E. Fox over the edge for a few years. Thanks God, Christopher Walken still walks amongst us lesser mortals (and occasionally steals an entire Tarantino scripted movie by only appearing five minutes).
a little more than cheap action
wvisser-leusden15 October 2012
One can describe the core of 'Wild Side' in just two single words: sex + action. It is a receipt that always works.
Consquently this film lacks any depth. It just shows a bunch of hyper-people, picturing characters that some among us should like to identify with. If you don't, 'Wild Side' urges you to use the speed-up button on your DVD-playing machine.
Positive: this film provides some coherent story, and is able to keep your attention all the way down. Although still far under his James Bond-level, male lead Christopher Walken's credible performance lifts 'Wild Side' from its depths.
Consquently this film lacks any depth. It just shows a bunch of hyper-people, picturing characters that some among us should like to identify with. If you don't, 'Wild Side' urges you to use the speed-up button on your DVD-playing machine.
Positive: this film provides some coherent story, and is able to keep your attention all the way down. Although still far under his James Bond-level, male lead Christopher Walken's credible performance lifts 'Wild Side' from its depths.
Quite nuts.
ocosis14 July 2021
Donald Cammell's (White Of The Eye, Demon Seed) Wild Side is a mix of psychosexual tension, complete lunacy from Christopher Walken, and a love affair between the two female leads. Walken, of course, takes it all to another level, because he's from another planet. So to me, worth it for that Walken madness alone.
This review is of the Director's Cut.
This review is of the Director's Cut.
CAMMELL
kevin c18 July 2001
A tense, sexy thriller that draws you in from it's opening scene. Walken gives his normal manic performance. However, it's Heche who dominates the screen. She gets the balance just right between victim and perpetrator.
Ultimately Cammell is a distinctive talent in cinema, and his suicide was a loss.
Ultimately Cammell is a distinctive talent in cinema, and his suicide was a loss.
Never have a Director's cut and a released studio version been sodifferent . . .
Chris_Docker17 August 1999
I watched the Director's Cut of this movie premiered August '99, together with clips of the trash that the studio released. The studio movie is trash - completely and utterly and doesn't even aspire to be anything better. The editing is flat and the performances look like rehearsals. The Director's Cut (pieced together by the Editor after the Director's suicide) is an outstanding piece of cinema. Not a frame wasted. The opening sequence shocks you into an awareness that this movie will be very different to anything you've seen before. Chris Walken gives one of the best performances of his career. This is exciting, original cinema that riveted my attention in every moment of its two hour authorised version. The script sparkles with wit and dry, unpretentious humour and you never quite know what is going to happen next. A sexy, stylish thriller that makes you laugh and also appreciate the beauty inside every villain. The tenacity and integrity of the Editor and Scriptwriter that saw it through to completion is a monument to the industry.
Whadamess!
=G=28 January 2003
In "Wild Side", Heche, a bank exec by day and a call girl by night, gets involved with a night job client (Walken) who launders money, his wife (Chen), and his chauffeur and under cover cop (Bauer). The result is a silly, confused mess of a movie which has something to do with $169 million, a virus on a floppy disk, and Heche spending a lot of time outside her clothes and going lesbo for Chen. "Wild Side" is either a dark comedy talent showcase nonstory or a really awful and hokey drama or both. Reasons to watch are: (a) see a good cast go down in flames or (b) see Heche get naked or (c) both. (C)
If you like your movies wild and daring, you'll love this!!
suzanne-2413 January 2001
My comments about Wild Side are mainly for the version of the film that was released in late 2000. I always enjoy a movie that has something odd and strangely compelling about it and Wild Side takes first prize. I am a devoted Christopher Walken fan and I have to say that I love his portrayal of Bruno Buckingham. Oh, if men were only as kinky and strange and wonderful-looking as him. Anyway, the main theme that runs through Wild Side is Sex is Power and without giving anything away, this subject is explored in a very imaginative way. The film has the outer trappings of a soft porno flick complete with lesbian scenes and BDSM. Personally, I am not put off by this sort of thing, however, the mood is dark and enigmatic. This movie is not simply for cheap thrills. For your information, the director/writer Donald Cammell committed suicide in 1996. He wasn't happy with the way Nu-Image edited Wild Side 1 and it is felt that this contributed to his depression and eventual death. His friend/colleague Frank Mazzolla has nearly re-edited every scene for Wild Side 2 and added 20 minutes. I suggest Wild Side 1 is viewed first to appreciate the full flavour of Wild Side 2. The difference can really be seen and I prefer what happens to Bruno in the newer version, too!
Isn't it a shame when bad things happen to good celluloid?
PR Mason9 August 1999
What were they thinking? This film was one of the most fetid offerings I've seen for quite a while. The film is like a porno, with almost all the sex taken out and if you sit through it just to watch the lesbian scene then you're really in trouble. The film has a crazy plot and is distinguished only by the fact that it's the only film I recall where ALL the actors seem equally uncomfortable/inept.
Why does Mr. Walken's character start each of his scenes reeling off a string of numbers into a phone? Does he EVER leave the house? Also, when I opened a bank account, I got a cheque-book and a wallet. I guess lesbian sex isn't part of the new account package until you pony up 75 Grand.
Finally, I pity Christopher Walken - being dressed up as a cross between one of the Karamazov brothers and Noel Coward must have hurt.
Why does Mr. Walken's character start each of his scenes reeling off a string of numbers into a phone? Does he EVER leave the house? Also, when I opened a bank account, I got a cheque-book and a wallet. I guess lesbian sex isn't part of the new account package until you pony up 75 Grand.
Finally, I pity Christopher Walken - being dressed up as a cross between one of the Karamazov brothers and Noel Coward must have hurt.
Strangely hypnotic.
buckaroobanzai5029 February 2004
Curiously, I continued to watch this...as unlike many flicks around these days, it was quite unpredictable. Okay. It has a few flaws, like Mister Walken's sometimes way out overacting, but this may have been down to the director's untimely death after the project was taken out of his control. Anne Heche, who everyone condemned a few years ago for riding on the coat-tails of her former love Ellen Degeneres, turns out to be quite an accomplished actress (check her out in One Kill), and is believable as a woman torn in many directions. It's also very easy to see why Walken's character would fall for her. Ryuchi Sakamoto's haunting music recorded nearly five years after the movie was shot, adds to the surreal atmosphere of some scenes, even though they can seem a little far fetched.
Film Four has done a fine job restoring the movie, it's a shame though that the BBC's excellent documentary, Donald Cammell: The Ultimate Performance, isn't included on the DVD.
Film Four has done a fine job restoring the movie, it's a shame though that the BBC's excellent documentary, Donald Cammell: The Ultimate Performance, isn't included on the DVD.
In California, Gender is Irrelevant. So Is Everything Else.
rmax3048234 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I've always admired Christopher Walken's work. It hardly matters what he does. But here, he got away from me after the first few minutes, bouncing around in black silk capes, flapping blankets, puffing a monster cigar, wearing a wig that causes him to resembles maybe Mick Jagger circa 1980. It's a positive embarrassment.
The rest of the performers aren't any better, and Steven Bauer is considerably worse, reenacting his Cuban character from "Scarface." Anne Heche and Joan Chen have a delicate love scene, the film's only redeeming feature. It's nice, seeing two beautiful women making love, especially knowing that at least one of them isn't entirely straight.
The main plot, such as it is, has to do with Anne Heche being blackmailed into being a stooge for the LAPD. On her first encounter with an officer, he rapes her. Everybody's rotten and corrupt. I'm not arguing that this position isn't realistic, just that it's a little depressing.
The story takes too long to develop and the actors don't quite put over the character touches. Allen Garfield, absent too long from the screen, acts like a moron and is unnecessary. It would have been better if, the moment the two young ladies realized they were in love, they'd gotten on an airplane with all the money they had at hand and flown to Guadalajara. They -- and the audience -- would have been spared the pain that came later.
The rest of the performers aren't any better, and Steven Bauer is considerably worse, reenacting his Cuban character from "Scarface." Anne Heche and Joan Chen have a delicate love scene, the film's only redeeming feature. It's nice, seeing two beautiful women making love, especially knowing that at least one of them isn't entirely straight.
The main plot, such as it is, has to do with Anne Heche being blackmailed into being a stooge for the LAPD. On her first encounter with an officer, he rapes her. Everybody's rotten and corrupt. I'm not arguing that this position isn't realistic, just that it's a little depressing.
The story takes too long to develop and the actors don't quite put over the character touches. Allen Garfield, absent too long from the screen, acts like a moron and is unnecessary. It would have been better if, the moment the two young ladies realized they were in love, they'd gotten on an airplane with all the money they had at hand and flown to Guadalajara. They -- and the audience -- would have been spared the pain that came later.
porn
paulbritton10 February 2002
Well practically, actually it's a film called 'wild side', but it should have been a porn film, then it could have excepted it's ridiculous plot, overpowered characters and cheesy soundtrack. unfortunateley we were just left with two hours of confusing cinema and a few soft porn shots that didn't satisfy anybody. Saved from being dire by some great acting (especially by walken) and some good camerawork. Overall though, not very good.
Sensational.
christopher-underwood25 November 2016
Donald Cammell's final film, the censorious treatment of which, probably drove him to take his life, is a stupendous tour de force, the likes of which you are unlikely to have seen before. Steven Bauer is scarily violent and believably ruthless. Joan Chen is beautiful and commanding while Anne Heche is astonishingly effective in a complicated and ever changing role as she interacts with the other three main participants. Christopher Walken allows his character to take him over almost completely and occasionally seems to struggle to stay this side of sanity. This is a nightmare of a performance in which he turns himself inside out to portray the true horror of ultimate power and greed. I will not divulge the simple plot as Cammell tells it so well it is far better that this terrible tale unfold as he intended. Suffice to say, the aforementioned acting is faultless, the direction sure footed and the editing an object lesson and for once the word 'sensational' is most apt.
Proof positive you can take a good cast and come up with a bad movie.
icehole425 November 2000
Wild Side is one of those films you know could have been better. I've only seen the regular version, not the director's cut, so I'm lead to believe that the director's cut is much better.
In the regular version, however, much of the cast sleepwalks through the script, especially Christopher Walken. About the only thing that redeemed the film was the lesbian scene between Joan Chen and Anne Heche. The regular version would have made good MST3K fodder. Apparently, the director's cut is much better. I'm going to check it out.
In the regular version, however, much of the cast sleepwalks through the script, especially Christopher Walken. About the only thing that redeemed the film was the lesbian scene between Joan Chen and Anne Heche. The regular version would have made good MST3K fodder. Apparently, the director's cut is much better. I'm going to check it out.
Donald Cammell
abelardo6413 January 2005
I met Donald Cammell shortly after he finished production on "Wild Side" We were at director Martin Donovan's house in Los Angeles. It was one of those eclectic memorable evenings in front of the fire in that fabulous Italian villa of Whitley Heights. Johnny Whitworth and Liv Tyler were there, so was Renee Zellwegger with her director Dan Ireland, Valeria Golino and Benicio del Toro, Shirley Knight and even Fabrizio Mioni with Faith Domergue, yes the legendary Faith Domergue, Howard Hughes's protègè. Donald Cammell dominated great part of the evening, exhausted but bursting with energy. So excited about his new film, about Joan Chen, Steven Bauer and Christopher Walken's performance. Editing with his long time collaborator, Frank Mazzola. It was a dangerous movie, it walked a very thin line, but he trusted his abilities as an tightrope walker. Years of experience. A few weeks later I was invited to see his cut of the film. I must admit, It took me by surprise. The darkness of the film didn't seem to match the lovely, kind, gentle Donald. The film was also brutally funny. A very individual, frightening, fascinating vision of the world. Shortly after I found out the film had been taken away from him and re edited. I saw Donald Cammell a couple of times after that, he smiled, he was charming and kind as usual, but in his eyes you could see his sadness. The next time I went back to Martin Donovan's house was to attend Donald Cammell's memorial service. He had killed himself, leaving a tangible, painful, tragic void. That day was also memorable, to be part again, with China, Donald's wife, of an eclectic group, from Drew Hammond and Bud Cort to Ken Russell and Cassian Elwes, to pay tribute to Donald Cammell the man, the artist, the friend. The other version of "Wild Side" hit theater for a second and disappeared without a trace. Frank Mazzola, the original editor, has restored it since, with love and for love of an unforgettable friend.
One of the worst pictures of all time
star-307 October 1998
If a director hides his name, it means the film`s got some problem. This erotic/thriller trash called Wildside you gotta see `cause of lesbian scene between Anne Heche and Joan Chen. However Wildside ain`t got a script or something like this. It`s about nothing you could understand. This is the film of all B-movie stars like Christopher Walken and Steven Bauer who make some gay-like scene but nothing else. Terrible movie, just for mazochist!
One of the greatest soft core lesbian scenes, with an OK crime drama around it.
Kelly G.24 May 2004
I remember reading a review of this in one of those phone book sized movie guides you can get at a book store. They gave it their lowest rating, saying that it looked like it was all improvised in a series of motel room and apartments.
Yea, I can kind of see it.
Anyways, Wild Side is an OK noir film of sorts about a bank worker by day, high class prostitute by night (Heche) who gets involved with a crime boss (Walken) and his sexy girlfriend (Chen). Heche and Chen end up falling in love, and concoct a plan of sorts to get away.
The film probably would have faded away if it wasn't for the scorcher of a love scene between Heche and Chen. With an agonizingly erotic set up (a long dinner date between the two, followed by a first kiss in the womens bathroom), the actual love scene is allowed to play out nice and slow, in a big bedroom with the summer light and breeze blowing in. Seriously guys (and girls, I guess) this is everything you could want in a scene like this.
I wish I could say the movie around it was memorable enough to live up to that kind of glory, but it really doesn't. I'm sure Donald Cammell was a great director, and it's probably real sad that the film was chopped up before he could finish it to it's satisfaction. But I've got a feeling that whatever state this movie was supposed to in, it would have turned out the same.
Eroticism aside, the lesbian scene is asthetically like a breath of fresh air. It's bright, and wide open in the way it plays out across the screen. Compared to that, the rest of the movie really does play too dark; It really is kind of like sitting with your legs crossed on the floor in the corners of dark apartments while listening to other people talk. Dreary, in other words.
By the way, check out the Canadian video cover for this one compared to the static "3 portraits" cover we got in America. A classic example of how just how puritanical our culture can be sometimes.
Yea, I can kind of see it.
Anyways, Wild Side is an OK noir film of sorts about a bank worker by day, high class prostitute by night (Heche) who gets involved with a crime boss (Walken) and his sexy girlfriend (Chen). Heche and Chen end up falling in love, and concoct a plan of sorts to get away.
The film probably would have faded away if it wasn't for the scorcher of a love scene between Heche and Chen. With an agonizingly erotic set up (a long dinner date between the two, followed by a first kiss in the womens bathroom), the actual love scene is allowed to play out nice and slow, in a big bedroom with the summer light and breeze blowing in. Seriously guys (and girls, I guess) this is everything you could want in a scene like this.
I wish I could say the movie around it was memorable enough to live up to that kind of glory, but it really doesn't. I'm sure Donald Cammell was a great director, and it's probably real sad that the film was chopped up before he could finish it to it's satisfaction. But I've got a feeling that whatever state this movie was supposed to in, it would have turned out the same.
Eroticism aside, the lesbian scene is asthetically like a breath of fresh air. It's bright, and wide open in the way it plays out across the screen. Compared to that, the rest of the movie really does play too dark; It really is kind of like sitting with your legs crossed on the floor in the corners of dark apartments while listening to other people talk. Dreary, in other words.
By the way, check out the Canadian video cover for this one compared to the static "3 portraits" cover we got in America. A classic example of how just how puritanical our culture can be sometimes.
Brutal, mental, maybe brilliant thriller
thehumanduvet16 April 2002
Intriguing, eye-opening thriller this, featuring an outrageous, insane and over-the-top performance from Christopher Walken even compared to his usual crazed output. Essentially a romance between the two leading ladies, Walken is the central figure and catalyst of all events as his loopy as hell gangster feller messes around with some women, is picked on by some dodgy coppers, and generally acts like a total loon. Joan Chen and Anne Heche are good as, respectively, his longtime girl and partner in crime, and his newest conquest and hobby, both putting in subtly sensual and remarkably sympathetic performances, and Steven Bauer is impressive (in the first role I've really noticed him in since Scarface) as the totally twisted, corrupt undercover cop on Walken's back, but this is really all Walken's show, as he chomps at the scenery with massive gusto. The atmosphere is dark and warm and a little steamy, there's plenty of expensive looking whisky about the place and people leading lives on the edge of sanity; the tragic Cammell's last film is a dark, intense, often inspired and occasionally hilarious gaze into the wilder side of sexuality and empowerment. Definitely one to watch with an open mind.
Weird Christopher Walken and a great score make for an edgy and atmospheric film
aidan-1229 June 2001
It's addictive, once you get into it - Christopher Walken's Bruno uckingham - a multimillionaire money-launderer - is dangerous and unpredictable.
A casual sexual encounter between him and call girl Alex, played by Ann Heche, develops into a love triangle, or rectangle if you include Walken's obnoxious and predatory driver, played by Steven Bauer. The driver turns out to be working undercover. Walken's wife/girlfriend arrives on the scene and you have a passionate all female sexual encounter between her and the Ann Heche, who is also leading a double life.
But there's a scam going on - Bruno Buckingham plans to disrupt the banking system with a computer virus and use the opportunity to transfer millions of dollars of ill-gained funds. A sting is planned by the police, but will it be successful?
A simple plot, but complex encounters between various characters, captured on a hand-held camera, and with the beautiful and haunting background music of Ryuichi Sakamoto, make for a highly intriguing and watchable film, if you like this sort of thing (I do). I loved the momentary flashbacks of sex scenes in the character's head as she's in the office. A little bit quirky, like the films of director Nicholas Roeg.
Christopher Walken is remarkable, with his menacing and almost other-worldly on-screen presence. Ann Heche is captivating, and the love scenes between her and Buckingham's wife/lover, played by Virginia Chow, are quite passionate, and have the quality of a real encounter.
If you're expecting a simple dénouement, don't. As in real life things aren't cut and dry, though the ending is satisfying.
A casual sexual encounter between him and call girl Alex, played by Ann Heche, develops into a love triangle, or rectangle if you include Walken's obnoxious and predatory driver, played by Steven Bauer. The driver turns out to be working undercover. Walken's wife/girlfriend arrives on the scene and you have a passionate all female sexual encounter between her and the Ann Heche, who is also leading a double life.
But there's a scam going on - Bruno Buckingham plans to disrupt the banking system with a computer virus and use the opportunity to transfer millions of dollars of ill-gained funds. A sting is planned by the police, but will it be successful?
A simple plot, but complex encounters between various characters, captured on a hand-held camera, and with the beautiful and haunting background music of Ryuichi Sakamoto, make for a highly intriguing and watchable film, if you like this sort of thing (I do). I loved the momentary flashbacks of sex scenes in the character's head as she's in the office. A little bit quirky, like the films of director Nicholas Roeg.
Christopher Walken is remarkable, with his menacing and almost other-worldly on-screen presence. Ann Heche is captivating, and the love scenes between her and Buckingham's wife/lover, played by Virginia Chow, are quite passionate, and have the quality of a real encounter.
If you're expecting a simple dénouement, don't. As in real life things aren't cut and dry, though the ending is satisfying.
Classic B-rate Trash Dont miss it.
jce0620 August 1999
Stunning piece of b-rate trash that should be honored not criticized. Cliched but effective plot keeps you frozen to the screen. Heche and Chen's believable love for each other shines through, but it's Walken's over the top performance that takes this film to another level. The scene where Walken says the quote "10 years pal in a cage with a gorilla with a psycho gorilla" is classic walken and that one quote alone is reason enough to check out this film.
Quirky, daring, amusing, and erotic thriller!
cyanatus15 April 2003
Anne Heche, Christopher Walken, Joan Chen, and Steven Bauer have never been better in this quirky, daring, amusing, and erotic thriller. Try to catch it on pay cable, where it's regularly aired. Apparently, the director's cut is even better.
positive; not high art, but film is enjoyable
drainm16 November 2000
Wild Side may have lines that reflect the B movie world, but the plot in itself is not difficult. There's a woman in debt, a money launderer who thinks he loves her, his wife who also loves her, and a jerk who wants to destroy everyone. This is not too difficult to catch, nor is it B quality. With the suspension of disbelief, needed for any movie, really, the flow of Wild Side is really believable. Sure the love scenes were probably all choreographed by men, but so are the lesbian scenes in just about every other movie. Really, if you go in with medium expectations, you will come out surprised. I did.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
