No. 101 (2018) Wildlife Nov 13th.

Film No 101 (2018) Nov. 13th.  4:15 PM  LUNA PALACE Leederville . 

"Do you know what they call trees when the fire has gone by? They call them the standing dead, did you know that?" (Jeanette talks to Joe on one of their short road-trips into the forest range where husband Jerry is working as a rookie fireman).

I admit to regarding Richard Ford's book Wildlife as one of my favourites so it was with trepidation that I waited to see if Paul Dano's directorial debut might do the story proud. It did, and it does in spades. The rumour is that Ford told Dano, "Remember it is my book, so make your film". Dano has done that, but the story of an adolescent boy watching in the vain hope that his mum and dad would stay together and recreate their loving family triangle was all about "slow burn atmosphere". Ford would surely be chuffed with Dano's take on the Brinson Family. Australian actor Ed Oxenbould plays young Joe with just the right portion of naivety and Carey Mulligan works her magic as the slightly unhinged but always loving Jeanette. Wildlife is a treat, not to be missed in my view, but I come to this story with form. 11GUMS.