After watching the trailer for the upcoming film “Wildlife,” a few things are clear. First, and foremost, the directorial debut from Paul Dano is stunningly gorgeous. The setting, the costumes, everything just pops off the screen and looks like a painting. Secondly, Carey Mulligan is a force to be reckoned with. After starring in films like “Drive” and “Mudbound,” while also receiving numerous awards and nominations for her role in 2009’s “An Education,” we knew that Mulligan is a strong acting presence. However, her work here is simply amazing, even just from seeing the trailer. And lastly, boy, “Wildlife” looks like a heavy, heavy drama.
The story is laid out pretty clearly in the footage seen. A young boy must navigate his family’s relationships with each other, while his mom and dad are going through some decidedly adult situations and issues. As his father goes off to work, his mother begins questioning everything and spreading her wings, so to speak. And the young boy is left to figure out what the hell is going on. The film looks incredible, but it’s definitely a drama, through and through.
As mentioned above, “Wildlife” is the debut directorial gig from actor Paul Dano. He also co-wrote the script with his partner Zoe Kazan. Previously, the duo worked together on the film “Ruby Sparks,” where they both starred and Kazan wrote the script.
Joining Mulligan in this cast is Jake Gyllenhaal, Bill Camp, and Ed Oxenbould.
“Wildlife” finishes its tour of the fall film festivals after hitting TIFF and NYFF, and will be released by IFC Films in select theaters on October 19.
Here’s the synopsis:
WILDLIFE, the directorial debut of Paul Dano (THERE WILL BE BLOOD, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE), co-written along with Zoe Kazan (THE BIG SICK). Elegantly adapted from Richard Ford’s novel of the same name, Carey Mulligan (MUDBOUND, AN EDUCATION) delivers one of her finest performances to date as Jeanette, a complex woman whose self-determination and self-involvement disrupts the values and expectations of a 1960s nuclear family. Fourteen-year-old Joe played by newcomer Ed Oxenbould, is the only child of Jeanette (Mulligan) and Jerry (Jake Gyllenhaal)—a housewife and a golf pro—in a small town in 1960s Montana. Nearby, an uncontrolled forest fire rages close to the Canadian border, and when Jerry loses his job—and his sense of purpose—he decides to join the cause of fighting the fire, leaving his wife and son to fend for themselves. Suddenly forced into the role of an adult, Joe witnesses his mother’s struggle as she tries to keep her head above water. With precise details and textures of its specific time and place, WILDLIFE commits to the viewpoint of a teenage boy observing the gradual dissolution of his parents’ marriage.