Wild Things is a 1998 erotic thriller which is usually seen as a tacky, trashy sex movie set in the glossy upper class world of Blue Bay, Florida. This week we take a closer look at this film, examining its complex plot as a clue to what lies beneath the bikini-clad surface. We examine various aspects of the film that are hallmarks of classical theatre, from the soundtrack as a Greek chorus to the theme of water as a form of catharsis that runs throughout the film. The concept of theatre-within-theatre is also explored, focusing on two scenes in the film where the producers are self-consciously admitting what it is they are doing. We round off talking about the implications of the film for a modern America that is largely ignorant of its classical roots. (Read more...)
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