Wolf (1994)

This is yet another movie I missed the first time out that I finally got to see online just now. Jack Nicholson encounters a wolf on the road on the way home when his car hits it. He stops to look at the animal laying down when he gets bitten by it. That should tell you where that's going to. Anyway, he's an editor-in-chief at a publishing house where his job is in jeopardy because of it being bought by Christopher Plummer. James Spader is Nicholson's protégé, Michelle Pfeiffer is Plummer's daughter who takes a shine to Jack. And Richard Jenkins is the police detective investigating the killings that happen. Nothing more to say except this was quite a measured take on the horror film as helmed by Mike Nichols who usually did comedies and dramas. No surprise makeup artist Rick Baker was involved considering his previous work on An American Werewolf in London. By the way, here it's referred to as a "demon wolf". Great music score by Ennio Morricone. Nothing more to say except I thoroughly enjoyed Wolf. P.S. Look for David Hyde Pierce, Allison Janney, and David Schwimmer in small roles.

"Wolf" by director Mike Nichols can best be described as a werewolf movie for a mature and adult audience. And the director also managed to pull off an entertaining movie without resorting to gore, visual transformation into a werewolf and of course without young men running around without shirts.The story told in this 1994 movie is about Will Randall (played by Jack Nicholson), an aging publisher who finds himself bitten on the hand by a wolf that he accidentally hit with his car. And as young publisher Stewart Swinton (played by James Spader) snatches a job position from Will, he finds himself fighting for his job and also fighting a personal battle against the beast that starts to emerge within him.It is a nicely told story that progress in a good pace and it is helped along quite well by the performances by the cast ensemble, as well as the characters in the movie being quite detailed and nuanced. Jack Nicholson was really well-cast for this movie, given his charm and appearance. And James Spader also did add something good to the movie. Furthermore, then the cast list also included talents like Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Plummer, Richard Jenkins and David Hyde Pierce.I was especially impressed with how well the movie turned out to be, despite lacking the traditional transformation scenes from human into werewolf, which is usually seen in the werewolves movie genre. There were some scenes where there was a slight change from man into something more bestial. And that worked out so very well in favor of the movie. And it made the character look more bestial and added a good flavor to the movie.All in all, "Wolf" is not your average werewolf movie, and if you want a werewolf movie which offers more than just gore and visual effects then "Wolf" is a good choice. It does cater to a more mature audience.

Jack Nicholson plays a middle-aged book publisher, bitten by a wolf during the full moon, who undergoes a physical and psychological transformation just as his life seems to be falling apart around him. A different kind of werewolf movie but an interesting one. Nicholson does a good job, despite being somewhat miscast for the role of a nebbish. Once the transformation begins and this man starts to show his newfound wolf side, it's a role right up Jack's alley. James Spader is a treat as the sleazy villain. Michelle Pfeiffer looks as pretty as ever and has decent chemistry with the much-older Nicholson. The script is clever and fun. Rick Baker's low-key makeup won't please many horror fans but I think it was perfectly suited for this type of film. Really this isn't the kind of werewolf movie for the average horror fan who wants strong visuals and lots of violent action. It's not scary, either, in case that wasn't obvious. It's a werewolf movie for people who want something outside of the ordinary.I really liked this one and I gotta say I didn't expect to when I first saw it years ago. I'm not a big Mike Nichols fan. The kinds of films he made are not the kinds of films I tend to enjoy. I'm not saying they are bad films or that he was not a talented director. He made some classics that I did like to watch, although the idea of rewatching any of them is not particularly appealing to me. So, take my opinion on Nichols into account when I say that this is my favorite Mike Nichols movie. No, I'm not saying this is a better film than "The Graduate" or "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" or anything crazy like that. But I enjoy watching this movie more than any of his relationship dramas. The interesting thing is that, underneath the supernatural elements, this is a story about a man's mid-life crisis. That's exactly the sort of movie you expect Nichols to make, only this time the story is told in a less prosaic way by making it a werewolf movie with the subtext and dark humor that comes along with that.

an old myth and a real good director. high performance. and inspired script. one of demonstration of Jack Nicholson huge talent and slices from Hitchcock area. that is all. at first sigh. but... . it is not pure horror or a classic thriller. it is not part of a long tradition who has the wolf as axis. the key moment is occasion for viewer to discover not a story but to be part of it. that fact does the film at high level and demonstrate the genius of Mike Nichols and the force of Ennio Morricone music . the fantastic, the flavor of fairy-tale and Gothic novel are present. Michelle Pfeiffer gives a good role and atmosphere is carefully created. but the basic tool is the imagination of public. because seems be a well - known story in another form. but something is deeply different. and that detail is the source of special manner to create tension in this case, a form of mixture between old Hitchcock and new Stephan King.