Only You Can Prevent Wildfires

By Tom Pacak

Watching “Wildlife,” I was reminded of the countless people in California trying to set out these terrible fires. What the state is going through right now is very serious and I hope everyone finds safety. “Wildlife” isn’t necessarily about the men who risk their lives to put out these fires, but instead focuses on how scary it is having a loved one gone fighting the unknown. There are no scenes of the male protagonist Jerry Brinson (Jake Gyllenhaal) fighting the fires, but we worry every minute that he might not come back.  The film also brings to question, what does a family do when someone you love is gone and may not return? There are several things out of character you may do when the person in charge isn’t home. You’ll have an affair with somebody you don’t care about; you’ll drink every night, or get a job to provide for the family. These are all things actor Paul Dano wants us to question in his new directorial debut.

Paul Dano’s portrayal of the modern American family in the 1960s is spot on. Husband goes to work, wife stays at home, and kid goes to school. Set in 1960, Jeanette Brinson (Carey Mulligan) and Jerry Brinson have a pretty steady marriage. They love each other and their kid, Joe (Ed Oxenbould). Joe spends his time playing football, even though he does it to please his dad. Jerry works at a pretentious country club where he is well liked by the patrons. Joe brings home the money and everyone’s happy. Cinematographer Diego Garcia really captures the beauty and mysteriousness of Montana. Montana has always been one of those states that I’ve wanted to visit, after seeing “Wildlife” I know for sure I’ll be there soon!

All of this happiness stops when Jerry loses his job for being “too friendly and outgoing” to numerous patrons.  This causes a downward spiral for the Brinson family. Jeanette and Jerry often bicker about Jerry’s future employment. They’re not mad at each other for Jerry’s termination, just scared they won't be able to survive. Joe is too young to understand what’s going on so he just stands there and watches them bicker. Being in desperate need for money and importance, Jerry takes up a job as a fireman fighting the forest fires in the nearby mountains in Montana. Jobs as a grocery bagger pay more but Jerry doesn’t want to do a teenager’s job. Being lonely and desperate for money, Jeanette takes up a job as a swim coach. She begins an affair with one of her clients Warren Miller (Bill Camp) a World War II veteran. She doesn’t necessarily love Miller but needs a backup plan just in case Jerry doesn’t return.

We really don’t get enough character development with Jerry as he’s gone fighting the fires. Gyllenhaal as proved himself to be one of the best and underrated actors working today but he doesn’t get enough screen time to show his talent here. I would have really liked some scenes of him fighting the fires. The character of Joe is more of an ineffective witness to his parent’s failed marriage. Joe knows his mom’s actions are wrong but does nothing to stop her. By far, the film’s most developed character is Jeanette. Carey Mulligan is great playing the insecure wife who scarred of her marriage’s future. Jeanette gets the most development, as she’s the one who causes the family’s downfall.

“Wildlife” is one of those movies that has the potential to be a “Great Movie.” It has all of the ingredients to be one (great cast, direction, and cinematography) but also has ingredients to be just a “good movie.” The male characters lack character development that could have made this a great movie. The film only focuses on the female side of a failed marriage when it could have focused on Jerry’s side. When Jerry returns home, he still has no idea who he is and either do we. 

Note: Now Playing in Theaters

Rating: 3 Stars Out of 4 Stars