Wilder

The movie clearly cashes in on Pam Grier's success with Jackie Brown. Again the main characters are two "old timers" who have their wild days of youth behind them. Instead of Robert Forster we have action veteran Rutger Hauer who seems to enjoy the part of a romantically inclined womanizing gynaecologist. Pam Grier as energetic police officer Wilder is great as always. This time she does not have a brother or a sister to protect but her two kids. Contrary to other comments I think the Grier character's troubles with her neighbours fit in well and help the story along. Grier and Hauer make a good, harmonious and quite likeable couple.

Wilder is no masterpiece, it does not show any of Tarantino's sophistication. The story - Grier investigates the murders of young women, Hauer is at first the prime suspect - becomes somehow too drab and serious for this kind of movie which is more a comedy than a drama. However, there are some good scenes and good acting performances, especially Richard Robitaille as an ambitious, overexcited salesman for a pharmaceutical company. All in all I should say this is good, solid entertainment for people over age 35.

This film is a loving nod to the films of the late 70's--in cuts, setting and music choices (note the rotary phone, the answering machines, the women's lib and PMS comments, and of course Pam Grier herself--who looks fantastic). Filmed in 2000, it does an excellent job in depicting many of the characteristics of the 70's, though some of the tech and procedurals are of the 80's in a kind of mash-up. The dialogue was a high point with some pretty funny lines: "The only chemistry between you and me is a DNA test..." ; or this: "Did he have any enemies? That depends on how many wives talk in their sleep." It works because it's done perfectly straight, no sly wink at the audience. Many of the complaints were not justified; some of the acting was downright good--especially the interplay between the main characters, and in particular Pam Grier who plays her role with her usual panache. Rutger Hauer is an unusually charming Rutger Hauer which was a nice change, and his acting was better in this movie than I've seen in many of his others--I really don't get the criticism in this regard. Several of the extras/character actors feel flat or come across as slightly off-kilter stereotypes, but given what the film was trying to do, that may have been deliberate. The plot is pretty standard but plays logically with some interesting and rather unexpected twists, and an interesting big-pharma take. Unlike many of these movies, it actually does pay attention to little details--like a uniform giving them a "look" while they're talking (loudly) about their case in the hallway. Admittedly, there are a few--uh, unrealistic moments, but they were original and unexpected (ANY man will have a visceral reaction to one particular murder scene) and fit with the tone of the film, so in that sense, are forgivable. So, take this movie for what it is, an affectionate nod to the past, and overall an unexpected, enjoyable non-cerebral piece of entertainment.

I recently watched Wilder (2000) on Tubi. The story follows a string of murders that lead Detective Wilder to a doctor who becomes her prime suspect. She arrests and interrogates him, but instead of answering directly, he drops hints that suggest her investigation is only scratching the surface-and that a much larger conspiracy may be at play. Now, Wilder must determine whether the doctor is revealing the truth or just cleverly covering his tracks.

Directed by Rodney Gibbons (Silent Night), the film stars Pam Grier (Coffy), Rutger Hauer (Hobo with a Shotgun), Romano Orzari (Kin), and John Dunn-Hill (300).

This is one of those films you watch for the cast-and quickly regret it. The production quality and writing feel like a made-for-TV movie, with a plot that unfolds too conveniently. The dialogue is stiff, the performances lack authenticity, and Pam Grier's typically commanding presence feels forced. The romantic subplot falls flat, and the ending doesn't land with the charm or impact it seems to aim for.

In conclusion, Wilder is a lackluster crime drama with few redeeming qualities. I'd give it a 3/10 and recommend skipping it.

As soon as I picked this one of off the shelf warnings were going off in my head ("Bad movie alert! Danger! Danger!). Call me ridiculously optimistic, or just plain dumb, but I still rented it just the same. Seventies blaxploitation icon Pam Grier ('Coffy', 'The Big Doll House', 'Jackie Brown',etc.) is a favourite of mine, as is Rutger Hauer ('Blade Runner', 'Flesh & Blood', 'Salute Of The Jugger'), and the prospect of seeing them act together was just too much for me to ignore. The packaging made this look like another tired serial killer "thriller", the kind that should star Michael Madsen or Eric Roberts or James Russo or Chris Penn and go straight to video. But it is in fact even less interesting than that. The movie quickly degenerates into a lame conspiracy mystery, and smells very much like a failed TV pilot. Grier plays a one dimensional sassy cop, Hauer a very dull Doctor who is initially her leading suspect. The chemistry between the two is zilch, and my goodwill towards both performers is still not enough to forgive this absolutely awful waste of time. I'm straining myself trying to think of anything it all about it to recommend viewing it, but coming up with a big fat zero. Avoid this one at all costs.

Really strange movie. Feels like a failed pilot and first two episodes of a television show that didn't get picked up and was repurposed into a film screenplay and cast with new actors. I've really never seen anything like it.

Strange editing choices (not entirely sure sometimes whether they were deliberate choices for style or the product of a rushed production or what); incomprehensible plot advances; dumbfounding choices made by the characters; if I had to place it in a genre I'd call it "TV Grindhouse" - a genre both created and killed in a single product.

Overall I would say this is worth watching just to try to parse it.