Attention Délires!

The 'Wild Life,' like other 80s teen movies, are just one of those movies you watch not for story (since there really is no single, distinct plot directing the characters), but simply because you can have fun with the series of scattered events with which our characters wade through.

This one follows the spirit of 'Fast Times At Ridgemont High,' minus most of the controversial plot lines ('Fast Times' addresses abortion, but this one only somewhat addresses strung out vets). Although, that is not surprising since Chris Penn's character, Tom Drake, so closely models Sean Penn's character, Jeff Spicoli. This movie is what a spin-off of 'Fast Times' would be like if Jeff Spicoli were the main character.

There are essentially five main characters: Tom Drake (Penn), the anarchistic party animal; recent high school grad, Bill Conrad (a timid Eric Stolz who once played fellow surfer bonehead to Jeff Spicoli in 'Fast Times') who wants to prove that both masculinity and adulthood hinge on his having his own apartment; Anita (Lea Thompson) who is dating a sleazy cop; Eileen (the spunky Jenny Wright) who is much more independent that Anita, but no less able to entirely refuse her idiot boyfriend, Tom Drake; and Jim Conrad (Ilan-Mitchell Smith), the gloomy brother who is slightly less weirder than Josh Miller was in 'The River's Edge.' A crazy assortment of characters is typical in this variety of 80s comedy. Without a main plot, our characters' situations lead to some pretty hilarious subplots (most of them being between Tom Drake and Bill Conrad, who eventually become the 80s 'Odd Couple' when Drake moves in).

Look for minor roles by Rick Moranis, as Eileen's completely nerdy boss, Harry; Randy Quaid as drugged out Vietnam Vet, Charlie; Lee Ving (lead singer of 'Fear') who briefly appears as the cable guy; and Michael Bowen (Tommy in 'Valley Girl') as Tom Drake's equally braindead jock friend.

And, of course, it wouldn't be an 80s teen movie without boobs, beer, and house parties.

I didn't like this movie the first time I saw it because there is really no point to most things that transpire in the story. Why is the scene at the strip club or the younger brother's fascination with the war important? It doesn't matter. I watched it a second time, a little tired and giddy, and the 'Wild Life' became the perfect late night lazy movie. Turn off your brain and enjoy. (That party sequence at the end is hilarious).

I love this movie to me this movie is just as good as Fast Times if not better. This movie was shown to me by my father and it has tons of great actors like Chris Penn, Eric Stoltz (the dude that was supposed to be Mart McFly's), and Leanne Thompson (Mart McFly's mom). Also the damn soundtrack was by Eddie Van Halen. Get out of here if you think this movie is mediocre because you obviously don't understand greatness.

Bill Conrad (Eric Stoltz) is graduating from high school and is desperate to be a grown up as he moves into an apartment. He broke up with his donut shop girlfriend Anita (Lea Thompson) who has since moved on having a fling with a married cop. He works with friend Tom Drake (Chris Penn) at the bowling alley. Tom is a hard-partying wrestler. Tom's girlfriend Eileen (Jenny Wright) is best friends with Anita. Bill's brother Jim Conrad (Ilan Mitchell-Smith) is obsessed with the Vietnam war and likes blowing stuff up. Wildness ensues culminating in a crazy party at Bill's new apartment.

After the success of Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Cameron Crowe writes a sequel of sorts. He's better off making a straight sequel with the same characters. Instead, this one can only be Faster as the promotions claim. It's not really but more importantly, it's less compelling. This is more like a series of very memorable sequences. Like its predecessor, there are some crazy fun scenes that can be cut into a great trailer. The story isn't quite there and the characters need to be better. It's just that Cameron had already done this and needed to move on.

Fast Times it ain't. But check this movie out, it has a heart. Pour yourself a drink and enjoy. It's loaded with a slew of just-beginning stars. Sherilyn Fenn has her first on-screen credited cameo. Chris Penn, Lea Thompson, Eric Stotz, Jenny Wright, Rick Moranis, etc.--they all look so young. Oh and if you look closely the cop's wife is Nancy Wilson from the rock band Heart.

One of those movies where you don't have to expect an award or anything from it, but just want to watch it and have a good time. A feel good movie about basically nothing just makes you laugh at how much this movie's characters are just looking for some fun and not an Academy Award. The whole thing with Eric Stoltz brother...why was that in there. It was still funny and I enjoyed but it had no point. There'll never be another movie like this. Now a days the movies try to have to much story and it turns out terriable. We need another pointless movie like the Wild Life!