Wild Things - Nothing is what it seems....(REPOST)

Guillaume Canet's acclaimed Gallic thriller "Tell No One" gained plaudits for its complex plot full of twists and turns right up to the last minute. One movie that trod a similar, if swampy, path was the noirish 1998 erotic crime thriller Wild Things.

Directed by John McNaughton in  fine "Hitchcockian" style, Wild Things is densely plotted, with an attractive and impressive cast of 80's meet 90's stars including, Matt Dillon, Kevin Bacon, Denise Richards, Neve Campbell, Teresa Russell and a scene stealing performance by Bill Murray.

Wild Things is probably more famous for its notorious sex scenes but don't let that wrong foot you, Wild Things is a deceptive movie from the outset. The opening alone, lulls the viewer into thinking they are watching some high school teen melodrama - there lies the beauty of this movie. After this misleading beginning, things soon move up a gear and suddenly nothing is what it seems. Enemies become co-conspiritors, people you think are dead suddenly reappear - the ending is brilliant with revelations even during the end titles. I won't spoil the experience of seeing this film and allowing its sultry charms to take you in. Beg steal or borrow it and see for yourself and check out the fascinating Director's commentary.

Wild Things' soundtrack is provided by George S Clinton (not to be confused with the funk legend George Clinton) and echoes Hitchcock standby Bernard Herrmann and aspects of John Barry's creepy Seance on a Wet Afternoon. Aided and abetted by members of Morphine, K's Choice and Smashmouth, Clinton produces a very listenable soundtrack that manages to maintain its own identity and conjurs up suspense, steamy clinches and Floridan swamps.

In addition to Clinton's excellent score, the soundtrack also includes little musical gems including, Third Eye Blind's poppy Semi Charmed Life,  Smashmouth's ska punk version of War's Why Can't We Be Friends?; Johnny Rivers' soulful Poor Side of Town and K's Choice's angsty I'm Not An Addict to name but a few.

Check out the excellent fansite After Tonight for more information on this classic movie