‘Wild Things’ With Bill Simmons, Van Lathan, and Mallory Rubin

Key Takeaways

'Wild Things' is a 1998 erotic thriller and black comedy recognized as a "sweaty masterpiece."
The 1990s represented a peak era for erotic thrillers, evolving to include younger stars.
Cultural norms around on-screen nudity and sexuality have shifted significantly since 1998.
Actors now exert more control over nudity in films, contrasting with earlier producer-driven decisions.
The film's intricate, twisty plot and unusual closing credits contribute to its rewatchability.
Roger Ebert described 'Wild Things' as "lurid trash," embracing its identity as "well-made trash."
The South Florida setting plays a crucial role in enhancing the film's neo-noir atmosphere.
The erotic thriller genre has seen a decline, possibly due to internet pornography and plot oversaturation.

A speaker recalled watching 'Wild Things' in middle school, alongside 'Cruel Intentions' and 'American Pie' as staples for teenage gatherings.
Film's provocative scenes were prioritized over plot by young viewers at the time.

Discussion centered on Neve Campbell's career trajectory, transitioning from 'Party of Five' to films like 'The Craft,' 'Scream,' and 'Wild Things.'
She declined 'Armageddon' due to 'Party of Five' contract conflicts, noting her vulnerability defined her 90s acting peak.
Campbell later attempted to break away from her established persona, similar to other actors like Anne Hathaway.

Matt Dillon emerged as a prominent actor in the 1980s, experiencing a resurgence mid-1990s with films like 'Beautiful Girls' and 'In & Out.'
He delivered notable performances in 'Wild Things' and 'There's Something About Mary' in 1998.
Dillon was identified as a "tweener" actor, consistently successful but overshadowed by A-list stars like Tom Hanks and Brad Pitt.

Bill Murray's inclusion was unexpected, given his major star status post-'Groundhog Day' and 'Ghostbusters.'
His role suggested a phase of taking varied, perhaps casual projects like 'Kingpin' and 'Rushmore' in the mid-to-late 90s.
His character's subtle actions, such as wearing a fake neck brace, prepared the audience for plot twists, despite late additions to his involvement.

Roger Ebert described 'Wild Things' as "lurid trash" with a twisted plot, blending softcore, soap opera, and noir elements.
Speakers found this an accurate and appealing description, with one speaker declaring "I loved it."
The film exemplified an era of "well-made trash" in cinema, praised for its self-awareness and entertaining nature.

The film's humid, sticky South Florida backdrop was compared to 'A Time to Kill,' effectively heightening a sense of desperation.
Its appeal lies in contrasting affluent areas with grittier settings like dive bars and swamps, evoking a vibe similar to 'Outer Banks.'
'Out of Time,' starring Denzel Washington, was cited as another movie that successfully captured the South Florida spirit and erotic thriller elements.

Discussion centered on the notable threesome scene involving Denise Richards and Neve Campbell, detailing on-set experiences.
Included details on contract stipulations and Matt Dillon's improvised "Yeah."
The visual gag of an obscured erection contributed to its memorability and "ballyhoo" status, compared to an unexpected dunk contest move.

Podcast hosts discussed the decline of movie soundtracks and the rise of playlists, noting soundtracks were once as significant as films.
They cited 'Bad Boys 2' as an example of a film with an impactful soundtrack.
The conversation also touched upon a potential new Oscar category for 'needle drop' moments.

Discussed how modern technology, including cell phone data, text messages, and internet search history, would dismantle the movie's plot in a real-world investigation.
Contrasted this with older investigative methods like DNA testing prevalent in the 90s, highlighting the film's reliance on pre-digital era limitations.
Explored plot holes and unbelievable events that would be instantly exposed by contemporary surveillance tools.

Discussion shifted to Kevin Bacon's no-nudity clause, exploring its prevalence and purpose for actors, especially in the context of erotic thrillers.
An anecdote mentioned the editor requesting male nudity after an abundance of female toplessness in the film.
Bacon's reaction to his own on-screen nudity was highlighted, contrasting with his contractual stance.

A major nitpick raised was a continuity error: a character loses two teeth during a scene but has a full set by the movie's end, questioning Caribbean dental care implausibility.
Debate also covered Susie's survival and how she obtained money, suggesting an offshore account as a shared fund she ultimately claimed.
Questions arose about how characters could evade detection despite traceable financial activity like transactions to Playa Properties and yacht brokers.

Debate focused on whether Kevin Bacon intentionally 'fluffed' himself for the camera in a nude scene, challenging his alleged no-nudity clause.
Discussion covered technical aspects of filming nude scenes, including the involvement of various crew members and the use of a 'modesty pouch.'
His nudity in 'Hollow Man' was also mentioned, further questioning his perceived no-nudity stance for 'Wild Things.'