A troubled young man discovers that he has a knack for writing when a counselor encourages him to pursue a literary career.
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This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.
All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.
Released in 1961, Wild In The Country would offer Elvis his last serious role in a film by a significant director (Philip Dunne). He gives what may be his finest acting performance as a troubled young man from a dysfunctional family whose passion is really writing.There were fine supporting roles played by Millie Perkins as his girlfriend Betty Lee, Tuesday Weld as his cousin Noreen, and Hope Lange as his psychiatrist.Although not ranked as high in my all time favourite Elvis movies, i found it a bit slow moving, but it is still worth the watch, and I think that the movie was good but then again i am an Elvis fan.
Elvis Presley as a hell-raising juvenile delinquent? I don't think so. That's what `Wild in the Country' would have us believe, but in reality he's the only honest and decent male in the movie. He plays a misunderstood young man from a poor white trash background who is sent to a psychologist as part of his parole after he gets into trouble (which he often does through no real fault of his own, naturally). Hope Lange plays the `older woman,' who discovers a budding literary talent in her charge. However, according to director Philip Dunne's memoirs the part was originally offered to Simone Signoret (!). Contemplating this pairing is more exciting than anything that happens in this movie. Miss Lange gives it a good try, but she was only about 3 years older than Elvis. Signoret would have made a man out of him in no time! This was supposed to be Presley's big dramatic breakthrough in a non-singing role, but according to Dunne, the bosses at Fox insisted upon interpolating songs. The movie also suffers from the Production Code censorship of the time (no actual going to bed with Lange, thank you), and Elvis was too nice to be really bad. Considering all the strikes against it, it's surprising that `Country' is still as watchable as it is. Presley is as good as he's allowed to be, and Tuesday Weld also spices things up as the requisite `bad girl' who tempts him. Call this one a `bad movie to love.'
This is yet another great Elvis movie. It's great to see how a young kid who is dealt a very bad hand in life, with an abusive father and brother, with the death of his mother as a child and being guilty until proven innocent by the town comes out on top. It has good songs, but is not a musical. Again another great plot with a strong supporting cast, with Tuesday Weld and Gary Lockwood to name a few. I give this movie 4 and a half stars.
I've seen this movie 10 times and read the book "The Lost Country" which is what the movie based upon. In the book, character Glenn Tyler is a student and Irene Sperry is a teacher. They later fall in love. The book was written by J.R. Salamanca about the childhood of a country boy and his struggles to become successful. I've created a website with full comprehensive review. You can email me for the web site. I suggest this movie and book to everyone. Actress Hope Lange was great. She bought the character of Irene Sperry alive on screen.