IMDb RATING
6.0/10
3.2K
YOUR RATING
A high-school wrestler parties with his buddy at a swinging-singles apartment complex.A high-school wrestler parties with his buddy at a swinging-singles apartment complex.A high-school wrestler parties with his buddy at a swinging-singles apartment complex.
Chris Penn
- Tom Drake
- (as Christopher Penn)
Susan Rinell
- Donna
- (as Susan Blackstone)
Simone White
- Brenda
- (as Jennifer White)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe actor who appears at the party scene claiming to be the father of Chris Penn is Leo Penn, his real father.
- GoofsWhen the guys are driving to the strip club, you can clearly see a cop car blocking a side street to prevent any cars from interrupting the filming on the main street they are driving on.
- Alternate versionsThe UK video version was cut by 1 min 7 secs to remove all footage of nunchakus and to edit a scene where a cigarette is lit by an ignited aerosol can.
- ConnectionsFeatured in At the Movies: The Wild Life/Garbo Talks/The Bear/Windy City (1984)
Featured review
"...after Les Girls, you'll never be the same again."
While I hold its predecessor, "Fast Times At Ridgemont High," as a standard to which other teen comedies should be compared, "The Wild Life" is one of the better lesser known films from that time-and a worthy sequel, if you can call it that. I believe its tagline reads, "From the makers of FTARH, something even faster." This definitely holds true. Though it may lack the depth of the former which tackles issues like first dates, teen sex, and abortions, "The Wild Life" is, nonetheless, a great flick. It's pure chaotic fun, especially due to Chris Penn's over-the-top character, Thomas Drake. If Spicolli was high on coke instead of weed, he would be Drake. Eric Stoltz, in his first major role, is great as the straight-laced Bill Conrad. The two characters work well off one another. Think a younger, hipper Odd Couple, complete with 80's gloss. Outside of them there are so many other great things about this film worth mentioning. Lea Thompsom has never looked cuter, especially during the scenes of her working at the donut shop. Jenny Wright is just delectable and fun to watch. Rick Moranis plays a great nerd/perv who is dying to get in her pants. Thomas Drake's wrestler buddies are hysterical, especially Benny, the little Puerto Rican guy, who says some pretty memorable lines. One in particular that he yells out during a night out at a strip club had me on the floor the first time I saw it. That's saying something! Finally, the movie ends with one of the best 80's party scenes on film, ever. Look out for special appearances by Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones, Leo Penn (Sean and Chris Penn's dad), and a random Michael Jackson look-alike at the party. Throw in a score by none other than the man himself, Eddie Van Halen, and you can't go wrong. For Van Hagar fans, keep your ears open for riffs that would be found on such albums as 5150, OU812, and For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.
If anything disrupts the flow of the movie it is a small subplot involving Randy Quaid as a burned out Vietnam vet. It just seems out of place and unnecessary. Other than that, it's near perfect. If your a fan of mindless but fun 80's movies and have not yet seen this one, you're in for something special. RENT IT NOW!!!
p.s.-The credits say Cameron Crowe has a cameo as one of the cops in the film. Does he have his back turned during his scene because I have yet to find him. Someone please help me.
If anything disrupts the flow of the movie it is a small subplot involving Randy Quaid as a burned out Vietnam vet. It just seems out of place and unnecessary. Other than that, it's near perfect. If your a fan of mindless but fun 80's movies and have not yet seen this one, you're in for something special. RENT IT NOW!!!
p.s.-The credits say Cameron Crowe has a cameo as one of the cops in the film. Does he have his back turned during his scene because I have yet to find him. Someone please help me.
helpful•175
- gclamson
- Mar 23, 2005
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Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $11,020,375
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $4,001,400
- Sep 30, 1984
- Gross worldwide
- $11,020,375
- Runtime1 hour 36 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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![Eric Stoltz, Lea Thompson, Chris Penn, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, and Jenny Wright in The Wild Life (1984)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BZmNiMGE1MWQtMTg1My00NGMxLTlmMzUtZTE3YTc3NGMxZTJhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNzc5MjA3OA@@._V1_QL75_UX90_CR0,2,90,133_.jpg)