Wisdom (1986)

Emilio Estevez made his directorial debut with this story of young lovers on the run. The story finds Estevez unable to get work because he stole a car in high school and has a criminal record, so fed up he decides to stick it to the man by robbing banks not of money, but by stealing loan and mortgage records to help farmers and working class folks. Estevez and girlfriend Demi Moore go on a cross country crime spree ALA Bonnie & Clyde, with the FBI hot on their trail. Unfortunately, the characters and story are not all that interesting or engaging, and the plot seems overly contrived, but the cast is likable, which besides Estevez and Moore includes Tom Skerritt and Veronica Cartwright and Emilio's parents (Charlie Sheen has a cameo as the manager of a burger joint). As weak as this film was, I do want to give it credit for trying to be about something. There is a clear political agenda to the film, about the "little guy" being held down by rich and powerful interests, so I do want to comment Estevez for trying to make something beyond simple entertainment (even though it wasn't all that entertaining). It's kind of like when Steven Seagal threw in pro-environmental messages in "On Deadly Ground" and "Fire Down Below" and was able to reach audiences not commonly exposed to films espousing lefty politics. Danny Elfman composted the film's score (only his fourth film) and it sounds quite different from most of his scores, sounding much more like something by Stewart Copeland, which is actually kind fo cool. Overall, "Wisdom" is a weak film, but gets points for effort.

The comments above have brought out many of the glaring flaws in this bizarre vanity piece from the 80s. Here's another one: how is it that he cant get a job because he's a "felon" (not even flipping burgers), but he can buy an Uzi right over the counter without a waiting period or a background check? Wouldn't his status as a "felon" show up when the gun shop owner checked his record? Or didn't they do that in 1985? The first scene in the flower shop with Emilio and Demi is a prime example of the pathetically juvenile nature of the dialogue, it sounds like this was something Emilio first dreamed up in junior high school (which he probably did), trying to write a script for an "outlaw" film that would also please his ultra-liberal dad. The mild sexual talk is immature and inexplicable. Demi: "You cant even get it up if there's a cool breeze going thru my bedroom". Huh?? And they call each other "babe" like two self-conscious 15 year olds pretending to be an adult couple. It's no wonder they broke up not longer after this film and moved on to other partners, after they grew up.

I've watched Wisdom several times, and still enjoy it every once in a while. I've always been attracted to films with an original idea in them, and this is that kind of flick.I like Emilio Estevez anyway, and to see him get his first chance to direct was cool. Demi Moore turns in an enjoyable, believable performance too, as did Tom Skerritt and Veronica Cartwright.The particulars of Wisdom's methods might be a bit muddy, and the end not entirely satisfying to some, but this film is waaay more watchable than what's been out at the theaters lately. Can Hollywood really be SO out of good, original ideas?

Wisdom (1986) was a film that was written, directed, produced and starred Emilio Estevez. This movie was produced during the height of Emilio's career. He was also one of the youngest actors tin Hollywood to ever take on such as task. The end results are that of a novice film makers. In the end he bitten off more than he could chew.The film is about a young wash out who can't do anything right. So he decides to become a sort of a modern day Robin Hood with his girlfriend/co-conspirator Demi Moore by his side. The young lovers hit the road and decide to make history.Overall, it's an uneven production. The actors seemed to be unmotivated and the written is pretty run-of-the-mill. A good concept that's executed by mediocre hands. Estevez should have started out small before taking on such a big project. One the other hand I have to give him a big hand for pulling this one off.Recommended for Emilio Estevez fans.Factoids: Part of the movie was filmed in my hometown of Sacramento. I remembered all of the hub bub it created ten years ago. Charlie Sheen has a cameo as his "former" supervisor.