Stars: Jeff Bridges, Ellen Barkin, John Hurt, Diane Lane, Keith Carradine, Christina Applegate, Bruce Dern, James Gammon, David Arquette, Marjoe Gortner

Director: Walter Hill

Summary: The story of Wild Bill Hickok who returns to Deadwood after a three year absence to find a gold rush has changed everything, except Calamity Jane.

Director Walter Hill's WILD BILL is a film biography of legendary outlaw James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok (Jeff Bridges). The story covers the major events that shaped the gunman's life, including his work as a Kansas lawman, his stint in Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show, and his part-time relationship with a whip-wielding Calamity Jane (Ellen Barkin). In addition, the film shows how Hickok gained his deadly reputation, as well as his repeated confrontations with a vengeful young killer named Jack McCall (David Arquette), whose mother was wronged by Hickok years back--and who may or may not be Hickok's own son. WILD BILL, which unusually focuses less on the legend and more on the real man, features Keith Carradine as Buffalo Bill.

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Reviewed by: mcdermot7@aol.com
Posted on May 9, 2006 4:51 PM

Wild Bill Hickok, famed lawman and gunman of the Old West. Jeff Bridges is superp in the main role & Ellen Barkin makes a mighty fine Calamity Jane. Christina Applegate is more than credible in her role. John Hurt, Bruce Dern & Keith Carradine add class to this far too short tale. Diane Lane is superb as usual.

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Wild Thingsis the kind of lurid, trashy thriller that you'll either dive into with unabashed pleasure or turn away from in prudish disgust; it's entirely your choice, but we suggest the former option since it's obviously much more fun. The plot's so convoluted it's hardly worth describing, except to say that it's set in humid Florida and involves a respected high school teacher (Matt Dillon--yes, Matt Dillon as a teacher!) who is faced with accusations of rape by a student (Denise Richards, from Starship Troopers) who had been giving him the kind of attention most people would consider improper for such a "nice" young lady. Another student (Neve Campbell) raises a similar charge against the teacher, and that's when a police officer (Kevin Bacon) begins to investigate the allegations. Just when you think the movie's gone overboard with its shameless sex and absurdly twisted plot, in drops Bill Murray as an unscrupulous lawyer (of course) to spice things up with insurance scams and welcomed comic relief. As directed by John McNaughton (who has a way of making just the right moves with this kind of film noirmelodrama), Wild Thingsis a bona fide guilty pleasure--the kind of movie you may be ashamed to enjoy, but what the heck, you'll enjoy it anyway. --Jeff Shannon

Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Year:	1995
Release Date:	March 1, 2004
Runtime:	94 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	10001034
Keywords:	Bill, Wild, Westerns
Genre:	Westerns