Elvis Presley was a hugely influential performer with one of the most distinctive singing voices of anybody. He embarked on a film career consisting of 33 films from 1956 to 1969, films that did well at the box-office but mostly panned critically (especially his later films) and while he was a highly charismatic performer he was never considered a great actor.
'Wild in the Country' is not one of his best, his top 3 being 'King Creole', 'Flaming Star' and 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Loving You' also getting an honourable mention. It is also not one of his worst, despite its flaws this was during a period where he was still in his prime, his music was good and not only was there effort in his acting but the films seemed to know much better what to do with him.
As said, 'Wild in the Country' is not perfect and could have been better. It does go on for too long, meaning that the pacing can suffer with some of it rather ponderous. Some of the writing is also on the contrived and over-melodramatic side.
However, 'Wild in the Country' is a good-looking film, not as striking as 'King Creole' and 'Flaming Star' but still beautifully shot and with striking settings with some good effort at authenticity. The direction by Phillip Dunne is competent. The music fits well, and the few songs are good songs in their own right and don't feel thrown in our out of place. The hauntingly beautiful title song "Wild in the Country" is the standout.
Many parts of the story are genuinely moving and involving, especially when Elvis' characters opens up to Hope Lange's about his dead mother. Elvis himself is natural and charismatic, again giving a performance of great emotional honesty.
Supporting him well are Lange, Tuesday Weld and Millie Perkins. Perkins is effectively nuanced, and Weld brings a great deal of energy while knowing when to reign it in to stop her from being annoying. Lange isn't quite as good, she is emotive and sympathetic and shares great chemistry with Elvis but is a little too young for the part.
Overall, a decent film with great elements. 6/10 Bethany Cox
'Wild in the Country' is not one of his best, his top 3 being 'King Creole', 'Flaming Star' and 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Loving You' also getting an honourable mention. It is also not one of his worst, despite its flaws this was during a period where he was still in his prime, his music was good and not only was there effort in his acting but the films seemed to know much better what to do with him.
As said, 'Wild in the Country' is not perfect and could have been better. It does go on for too long, meaning that the pacing can suffer with some of it rather ponderous. Some of the writing is also on the contrived and over-melodramatic side.
However, 'Wild in the Country' is a good-looking film, not as striking as 'King Creole' and 'Flaming Star' but still beautifully shot and with striking settings with some good effort at authenticity. The direction by Phillip Dunne is competent. The music fits well, and the few songs are good songs in their own right and don't feel thrown in our out of place. The hauntingly beautiful title song "Wild in the Country" is the standout.
Many parts of the story are genuinely moving and involving, especially when Elvis' characters opens up to Hope Lange's about his dead mother. Elvis himself is natural and charismatic, again giving a performance of great emotional honesty.
Supporting him well are Lange, Tuesday Weld and Millie Perkins. Perkins is effectively nuanced, and Weld brings a great deal of energy while knowing when to reign it in to stop her from being annoying. Lange isn't quite as good, she is emotive and sympathetic and shares great chemistry with Elvis but is a little too young for the part.
Overall, a decent film with great elements. 6/10 Bethany Cox