Wild in the Country Review

Wild in the Country
A troubled young delinquent discovers that he has a knack for writing when a counselor encourages him to pursue a literary career.

by William Thomas |
Published on
Release Date:

15 Jun 1961

Running Time:

114 minutes

Certificate:

NR

Original Title:

Wild in the Country

Did you know that left-wing playwright Clifford Odets (The Big Knife, Sweet Smell Of Success) wrote an Elvis Presley movie? Here it is, a serious drama of a mixed-up country boy in the middle of a steamy melodrama of suicidal psychiatrists, sex-crazed backwoods girls and social injustice.

Elvis sings four adequate songs, and stands back while Tuesday Weld goes into overdrive as a nymphomaniac wild child and Millie Perkins pretends to be the good girl. A genuine dramatic attempt complete with moonlight and moonshine, with a sweet aftertaste of moral strength in everytown America.

There have been far finer Elvis movies than this, but worth while to see the Elvis acting ability glinting through.
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