Mike Nichols is not always an inspired director but in this case HE IS ! Quite amazingly but undeniably, he manages with this gem to achieve a nearly perfect synthesis of the realistic, satiric and horror genres.
The theme of lycanthropy , provided by Jim Harrison's exciting screenplay, is made all the more interesting since it applies to real life, to the soulless society surrounding us. We have an expression in French "l'homme est un loup pour l'homme" (Men are wolves to other men ) which could not be illustrated in a better way than by this somber movie. Indeed, the werewolf theme (unfortunately ) applies to perfection to our money-minded, cynical,mercantile environment.
Also very interesting is the fact that lycanthropy is presented from two angles, the first violent and painful ( like in dozens of such like stories ) the second positive and exhilarating ( a much more seldom approach ). Will Randall not only suffers from the change in his mind and body but he sees his senses becoming keener, his abilities develop and his combativeness strengthened. And putting all these new qualities to good use,he turns into the dark avenger of the frustrated viewer.
The dark romantic ending ( the couple becoming wolves ) avoids the trite happy end and the terror effects are very satisfactory. I particularly vibrated at the fight between Nicholson and Spader, in the middle of which poor Michelle Pfeiffer is ruthlessly brutalized.The opening sequence ( worried Nicholson driving in a beautiful but unsettling snowy landscape ) is also memorable.
Nicholson, Pfeiffer, Spader and Plummer are all excellent and complement each other to perfection.
Shame on those who disparage this masterpiece.
The theme of lycanthropy , provided by Jim Harrison's exciting screenplay, is made all the more interesting since it applies to real life, to the soulless society surrounding us. We have an expression in French "l'homme est un loup pour l'homme" (Men are wolves to other men ) which could not be illustrated in a better way than by this somber movie. Indeed, the werewolf theme (unfortunately ) applies to perfection to our money-minded, cynical,mercantile environment.
Also very interesting is the fact that lycanthropy is presented from two angles, the first violent and painful ( like in dozens of such like stories ) the second positive and exhilarating ( a much more seldom approach ). Will Randall not only suffers from the change in his mind and body but he sees his senses becoming keener, his abilities develop and his combativeness strengthened. And putting all these new qualities to good use,he turns into the dark avenger of the frustrated viewer.
The dark romantic ending ( the couple becoming wolves ) avoids the trite happy end and the terror effects are very satisfactory. I particularly vibrated at the fight between Nicholson and Spader, in the middle of which poor Michelle Pfeiffer is ruthlessly brutalized.The opening sequence ( worried Nicholson driving in a beautiful but unsettling snowy landscape ) is also memorable.
Nicholson, Pfeiffer, Spader and Plummer are all excellent and complement each other to perfection.
Shame on those who disparage this masterpiece.