Deserves recognition as an interesting misunderstanding of the hallucination generation, 20 January 2007
Author: TimothyFarrell from Worcester, MA
__QUOTE__Wild in the Streets__QUOTE__ comes from the same school of film making that spawned other attempts to connect to the counterculture such as __QUOTE__Skidoo__QUOTE__ and __QUOTE__Candy__QUOTE__. The difference between this and the aforementioned films is that __QUOTE__Wild in the Streets__QUOTE__ is reasonably clever and well-made. It isn__APOS__t sympathetic to the counterculture and will likely offend those with fond memories of the time. Surprisingly, it was a big hit when released and appealed to the youth whom it ridiculed so much. Unlike __QUOTE__The Trip__QUOTE__ and __QUOTE__Psych-Out__QUOTE__ (two other AIP films), its not an accurate representation of the movement at all. However it does work as social satire.
The direction by Barry Shear is good and makes innovative use of split screen photography. Plus, he keeps everything moving at a quick pace. In its funny moments, the film works well. In its attempts at drama, its helplessly dated and just as funny as the humorous moments. Christopher Jones underplays his role and Shelly Winters overacts. Hal Holbrook offers the best performance and Diane Varsi achieves the right note of __QUOTE__grooviness__QUOTE__. The script by Robert Thom has its moments, especially the ending (easily the most ingenious part of the film). __QUOTE__Wild in the Streets__QUOTE__ isn__APOS__t perfect, but deserves recognition as an interesting misunderstanding of the hallucination generation. Those into this kind of kitsch will enjoy it the most. I__APOS__d rather watch __QUOTE__The Trip__QUOTE__ or __QUOTE__Psych-Out__QUOTE__ however. (6/10)
-from imdb
