SPOILERS BELOW
As far as Mulholland Dr is concerned, I believe that Mary Anne uses a "Sylvia" pseudonym in this movie -- doesn't she write the name "Sylvia" something on either her job or her apartment application? So that may be further grist for the mill.
And you're absolutely right about Saul Bass's amazing credits sequence, which is visually kinetic in the way the film itself is emotionally kinetic. Or wild, I guess.
I have been curious about the title "Something Wild". I see it perhaps referring to "wild" also relating to nature and a natural need for human compassion to find fulfillment.(??) I hate to believe it was simply a marketing ploy.
I like to think the title is the unspoken answer to Mary Anne's mother repeatedly asking, "What happened?" in the final moments. Because her journey has indeed been "something wild".
Alternatively, when Mary Anne finally gets out, and is roaming the streets with such unrestrained zest, it's like she's become "something wild", having endured forced captivity for so long.
This interpretation may be undone by the conclusion though, which completely gobsmacked me, to be honest. I can't remember the actions of a single character evoking feelings of complete elation followed by abject horror -- before finally arriving at a very uneasy optimism -- in the span of a few brief minutes. A nice cinematic reflection of the fact that we can't every really know anyone, I suppose.
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oldgoldtop
7 years ago
"...the conclusion though, which completely gobsmacked me..."
Yes the ending may be unexpected or even uncomfortable on some level. I know some viewers find it "unrealistic". Too bad. What is "real" is that it is fictional "story" with a moral lesson. It is often difficult for us to imagine letting go of our anger and hatreds at wrongs suffered. The ending also seems a lesson on real love, compassion and forgiveness. The Christmas setting helps to remind us of the "spirit" or message of Christmas. I am an atheist but appreciate the underlying meaning of the Christmas celebration that too often seems lost. "Mary" may even be a biblical reference, perhaps partly inspired by both the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdelene. Philosophic views on love and peace within/without are things I associate with work by David Lynch too.
Your reply has made me think about the title again. I guess I might think it can have several inferences for me. The idea of a wild world that can be cruel and heartless (jungle) yet we have a power within to tame and control our feelings and emotions and hopefully find a way to relate to one another. Also a beautiful wildflower that has somehow evolved and grown out of nature. A beautiful world and life can exist if we can somehow evolve to discover it and recognize it and find it within ourselves. This might be seen as Mary Ann walks through the park in the city that had seemed so hard and unrelenting before Mike's act of love. Since it was based on a book titled "Mary Ann" the title being changed to "Something Wild" also may have been had a marketing component? The film was somewhat controversial at the time it was made.
I am reminded of Sting's lyrics "If you love someone, set them free". True love is not self-centered possessive obsessive thing often confused as "love". Love is too often confused with "desire". Mike (the mechanic) eventually recognizes this and they are able to repair each other and find happiness together. I like to imagine that the baby was the result of the rape and that love has overcome the hate to repair the damage. (Building bridges?)
I see from these boards that there is a new release coming too!ogt
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