"Wisdom" is actually nowhere near as bad as its rep would suggest if you take it for what it is: a trashy B-movie which you should watch when you feel like laughing instead of thinking. In its cool pretty boy chic fashions, the movie is just so totally 80s and the various scenes where Estevez beats the cops on his trail, such as the dummy scene, are downright side splitting. I actually liked the "cop out" ending because I thought it was original for a movie of this sort and did not see it coming. Furthermore, this movie, for its low ambitions, has some surprisingly good camera work . My main reason, though, for liking this movie is the beautiful catchy soundtrack by Danny Elfman and Oingo Boingo. Now, the bad ? Well, let´s just say that "Wisdom" never quite rises above the level of a lesser "Sledge Hammer" episode.
28 Reviews
Somewhere in the middle
policy1347 May 2011
Warning: Spoilers
There seems to be a lot of divided opinions on this portal about whether or not Wisdom is a complete waste of time or whether or not the movie is brilliant.
There are a lot of comments about how the ending is a cop-out and to those I say, take a look at it one more time. How could it not have ended the way it did? You are being set up at the very beginning. I think, although not brilliant, it is one of the more clever endings to come out of 80s movies.
I think part of the reason some people don't like this movie is because they don't like Emilio Estevez and I can understand why. He doesn't really come off likable in any of his movies from the 80s or 90s, even though he was almost never cast as a villain in his entire career. He looks like a surly teenager almost all the time. That's probably the reason why he chose to star in The Mighty Ducks to kind of change his image.
My rating of this movie is somewhere in the middle. It is one of the few films that dared to comment on Reagan's America and for that it deserves enormous recognition. Although, the theme was better commented on in Oliver Stone's Wall Street, let's keep in mind that this is by far a docu-drama like Wall Street. It isn't that smart but in it's own way a comment on the pursuit of fulfillment. Wisdom feels he has to contribute but goes about it very, very wrongheadedly.
As for Emilio's acting, I think that it's the best that he ever did, except for maybe his performance in The Breakfast Club. He wasn't really challenged during his acting career, not even when playing a real person like Billy the Kid in the two Young Guns flicks, which were more like two-hour pop videos than actual biopics.
There are also many talented people like Tom Skerritt, Veronica Carthwright and William Allen Young in the cast. Skerritt and Cartwright don't have much to do, except look worried, but Allen Young does deserve some credit for making a thankless part somewhat interesting. I haven't seen him do anything of note lately, except playing Brandy's dad in Moesha.
So to those who hate this, let me just say: It's Estevez at his best. Does that mean that this is a great movie. No. But I can't recall I have ever seen him in a brilliant movie - except Breakfast Club.
There are a lot of comments about how the ending is a cop-out and to those I say, take a look at it one more time. How could it not have ended the way it did? You are being set up at the very beginning. I think, although not brilliant, it is one of the more clever endings to come out of 80s movies.
I think part of the reason some people don't like this movie is because they don't like Emilio Estevez and I can understand why. He doesn't really come off likable in any of his movies from the 80s or 90s, even though he was almost never cast as a villain in his entire career. He looks like a surly teenager almost all the time. That's probably the reason why he chose to star in The Mighty Ducks to kind of change his image.
My rating of this movie is somewhere in the middle. It is one of the few films that dared to comment on Reagan's America and for that it deserves enormous recognition. Although, the theme was better commented on in Oliver Stone's Wall Street, let's keep in mind that this is by far a docu-drama like Wall Street. It isn't that smart but in it's own way a comment on the pursuit of fulfillment. Wisdom feels he has to contribute but goes about it very, very wrongheadedly.
As for Emilio's acting, I think that it's the best that he ever did, except for maybe his performance in The Breakfast Club. He wasn't really challenged during his acting career, not even when playing a real person like Billy the Kid in the two Young Guns flicks, which were more like two-hour pop videos than actual biopics.
There are also many talented people like Tom Skerritt, Veronica Carthwright and William Allen Young in the cast. Skerritt and Cartwright don't have much to do, except look worried, but Allen Young does deserve some credit for making a thankless part somewhat interesting. I haven't seen him do anything of note lately, except playing Brandy's dad in Moesha.
So to those who hate this, let me just say: It's Estevez at his best. Does that mean that this is a great movie. No. But I can't recall I have ever seen him in a brilliant movie - except Breakfast Club.
Revenge of the 80's: Emilio Estevez Superstar.
Captain_Couth31 January 2005
Wisdom (1986) was a film that was written, directed, produced and starred Emilio Estevez. This movie was produced during the height of Emilio's career. He was also one of the youngest actors tin Hollywood to ever take on such as task. The end results are that of a novice film makers. In the end he bitten off more than he could chew.
The film is about a young wash out who can't do anything right. So he decides to become a sort of a modern day Robin Hood with his girlfriend/co-conspirator Demi Moore by his side. The young lovers hit the road and decide to make history.
Overall, it's an uneven production. The actors seemed to be unmotivated and the written is pretty run-of-the-mill. A good concept that's executed by mediocre hands. Estevez should have started out small before taking on such a big project. One the other hand I have to give him a big hand for pulling this one off.
Recommended for Emilio Estevez fans.
Factoids: Part of the movie was filmed in my hometown of Sacramento. I remembered all of the hub bub it created ten years ago. Charlie Sheen has a cameo as his "former" supervisor.
The film is about a young wash out who can't do anything right. So he decides to become a sort of a modern day Robin Hood with his girlfriend/co-conspirator Demi Moore by his side. The young lovers hit the road and decide to make history.
Overall, it's an uneven production. The actors seemed to be unmotivated and the written is pretty run-of-the-mill. A good concept that's executed by mediocre hands. Estevez should have started out small before taking on such a big project. One the other hand I have to give him a big hand for pulling this one off.
Recommended for Emilio Estevez fans.
Factoids: Part of the movie was filmed in my hometown of Sacramento. I remembered all of the hub bub it created ten years ago. Charlie Sheen has a cameo as his "former" supervisor.
Thoughts from a crew member on the set of Wisdom
nanwrites-44-5786023 May 2011
I had the pleasure of being Demi Moore's stand-in and photo double for this film, after auditioning against 325 other young actresses for the "role." Normally, you don't have to audition for that crew job, but since this film was Emilio's directorial debut, he wanted to be able to look through the camera lens to "see" what he and Demi would (more or less) look like. The job of the photo double and stand-in is to do all of the takes where you can't really see the stars' faces (drivebys, long distance shots, etc. - yes, I was the one he had slung over his shoulder running in the school parking lot after Karen was shot), as well as to sit in for lighting and sound checks. It was, to put it the most succinctly, like running away and joining the circus!
Notwithstanding some of the legitimate criticisms of the film in other reviews, from a personal standpoint I have to say that Emilio was a total gentleman, and was especially respectful to all of the crew. He thanked the actors after every take and at the end of the day, and he never went into his trailer for meals - he always sat with the crew. The very first day on set, he asked if I had my SAG card, and when I told him I only had my AFTRA card, he wrote in a line for me so that I was eligible to join SAG (they ended up using the shot in the trailer). Emilio didn't have to do that, but it was the kind of thoughtful gesture that he showed others on a regular basis.
Emilio was also well aware of the trust placed in him, being such a young man with a considerable film budget, and he was surrounded by many Hollywood veterans who were equally patient and understanding (Robert Wise, Bernie Williams, to name a few).
While this may not be a true "review" of the film, I thought those of you who had written here might enjoy knowing some of the "behind the scenes" thoughts from someone who was there for the whole shoot. Personally, I enjoyed every moment of the experience, I learned a lot, and I will always be grateful to Emilio for his generosity of spirit and kindness. He was a class act, every step of the way.
Notwithstanding some of the legitimate criticisms of the film in other reviews, from a personal standpoint I have to say that Emilio was a total gentleman, and was especially respectful to all of the crew. He thanked the actors after every take and at the end of the day, and he never went into his trailer for meals - he always sat with the crew. The very first day on set, he asked if I had my SAG card, and when I told him I only had my AFTRA card, he wrote in a line for me so that I was eligible to join SAG (they ended up using the shot in the trailer). Emilio didn't have to do that, but it was the kind of thoughtful gesture that he showed others on a regular basis.
Emilio was also well aware of the trust placed in him, being such a young man with a considerable film budget, and he was surrounded by many Hollywood veterans who were equally patient and understanding (Robert Wise, Bernie Williams, to name a few).
While this may not be a true "review" of the film, I thought those of you who had written here might enjoy knowing some of the "behind the scenes" thoughts from someone who was there for the whole shoot. Personally, I enjoyed every moment of the experience, I learned a lot, and I will always be grateful to Emilio for his generosity of spirit and kindness. He was a class act, every step of the way.
crazy but my kind of crazy
mm-3920 May 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Spoiler I was watching this film years back, young and unemployed. This is a hard to accept, especially when other close too you call you a bum. Emlio's character felt like a loser also. This drives him on a cray trial. Unblevable, yet crazy, but likable. I could relate, and becomes a robber hood. Then we find out it's all a dream, which makes a logical conclusion. My wife says hey Mike this is just like you. Very 80's with the FBI guy who understands etc. I like the part where the hero is on the vistors stands in the ending. I won't take this film too seriously, if you don't either? Killing some time while I down load Black Out game from the Dawn of the Dead movie sight, and thought about reviewing this film. Watch it. 6 out of 10. I wonder if they show this one on TBS.
Modern day Bonnie and Clyde and so forth.
Anonymous_Maxine20 October 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Emelio Estevez makes his writing and directorial debut in Wisdom, the story of a guy named John Wisdom who finds himself in sort of an early life crisis, I guess. Barely entering the real world, he is coming to realize that life is harder than he has been brought up to believe, and he becomes convinced that all this stuff he's been hearing all his life about how he can be anything he wants is not really true, and so he sets out to do what any rational person would do in such a situation. He embarks on a dizzyingly adventurous life of crime and the freedom of the open road. All can only end happily for everyone involved.
But rather than become your typical bank robber, Wisdom, after brainstorming at length about the type of criminal that he aspires to be, decides he's going to be a criminal FOR the people. No one can be hurt by his crimes except for big evil corporations and, more specifically, greedy banks. Wisdom believes that he has been dealt an unfair hand in the game of life, and sitting in a bus station in the early part of his wandering, he sees a commercial that convinces him that this he's not the only one. Millions of hard working Americans work themselves to the bone for their entire lives, only to have everything taken away in a flash by the banks when they should be ready to retire in comfort and happiness. And as Brig. Gen. Francis X. Hummel said in The Rock, the situation is unacceptable.
Hence we have an understandable concern about a truly troublesome situation of many people in America, but it's a weak premise for the rest of the movie, possibly because 24 year old Estevez, as Wisdom, looks like he's 16 years old in the entire movie. Granted, his character is not meant to be much older than that, but there is a definite element of juvenile grandiose fantasy that renders much of the movie into something of a high school kid's dream of fame and a life of righteous crime.
Demi Moore, also 24 years old, plays the equally high school-ish love interest, oddly more ready to leave her boyfriend when he's in a persistent bad mood than she is when he runs out of a bank with a gun and jumps in her car and tells her to step on it with no warning or hesitation. The two ultimately become sort of a mesh of Bonnie and Clyde, Robin Hood, Mickey and Mallory, etc., as they cross the country holding up banks, but only for the purpose of burning lots of mortgage records, thereby erasing massive amounts of working class debt. Evidently mortgage companies and banks hold only a single solitary copy of debt records, and clearly there can't have been any computerized records, this is 1986 after all. Computers were like the size of Volkswagens back then, weren't they?
So here are a few reasons that the movie is just about unwatchable. First, there is the acting. I'll just specify the scene where Wisdom finally is able to talk to his parents after being on the run for several days. Very emotional, and quite possibly the least bearable scene in the film. Just stop, Emilio. This, as Roger Ebert might say, is a scene meant to be cut up and made into ukulele picks for the poor. Second, there's the pursuit. The FBI is chasing them, and at one point the head FBI agent worriedly hopes that they can get to them before they get to a certain bank. Would it not be prudent to send some agents straight to that bank to meet them? Thirdly, there's the simplicity of it all. Americans in debt, Wisdom comes in armed with an Uzi to save the day. Please. The last line in the film, more than any other line in any other movie I've ever seen, completely cancels itself out. It literally would have made no difference if the final line had been 'Why did we even make this movie?'
(spoilers) You can kind of track the progression of the writing, the ideas changing and evolving as the story develops. First there's the young kid trying to make some sense out of what he has to work with in his life, then the determined young man out to help his fellow man, then the Robin Hood, sequence, then Bonnie and Clyde after they tarnish their consciences, then the high speed pursuit as the police close in on them despite their own incompetence. The car chase is a great scene, it's a surprisingly well-made car chase for such a weak film, but the build up is heavily flawed. The scene where Demi kills the sheriff is a real forehead slapper.
On the run and with their faces plastered all over the TV and newspapers, Karen (Moore) walks into a convenience store and is shocked to find the sheriff walking in. So what does she do? She walks toward the door, stops behind him, and stares at him like a frightened deer, motionless until he can gradually recognize her. At one point, he even asks her, 'Are you okay, miss?' Sure, she was terrified, but I get so tired of scenes where you're sitting there yelling at the screen because all she has to do is keep walking. Had she just walked out, chances are the sheriff wouldn't have thought twice about it, and just kept right on living. But no, she had to pull out her gun and shoot him, and then jump into the car with her boyfriend so they can zoom down the highway to their deaths.
Sadly, once that car chase is over, it's all downhill. You can't really root for Wisdom to run around killing people, because he's not supposed to be a bad guy and is definitely not supposed to be a killer. Like his choices in life, he was supposed to have been DRIVEN to it by society. He had no choice, right? So why not return fire when they shoot Karen near the end of the film after they try to steal the Mustang? That jerk shot your girlfriend out of a helicopter, man! Shoot it down! Here's my theory Estevez HAD to have known that his audience was going to want him to return fire, the FBI agent had long since been established as an antagonist. I'm sure Emilio wanted to put that in the script as well, a great way for them both to go out in a glorious hail of bullets, he probably just didn't have the budget to blow up a helicopter. So we get this scene in the football stadium. Why the cops went there in the first place I have no idea.
The movie knows what it wants to do and, thematically, it sets about to do it in a straight line. Unfortunately the characters change constantly, each one making ridiculous decisions out of the blue or to support the ridiculous decisions of the other ones, gradually changing into different people as a life of crime can do, but doing so through a series of wholly unbelievable scenes and events. And besides that, Demi had yet to make much of an impression, which surely must have worried her since she has a 10th grade education and doesn't have a lot to fall back on besides acting, and let's face it, Emilio had a rough introduction to writing and directing. Evidently he learned a lot of lessons from this movie before coming back in spectacular form in 1990.
But rather than become your typical bank robber, Wisdom, after brainstorming at length about the type of criminal that he aspires to be, decides he's going to be a criminal FOR the people. No one can be hurt by his crimes except for big evil corporations and, more specifically, greedy banks. Wisdom believes that he has been dealt an unfair hand in the game of life, and sitting in a bus station in the early part of his wandering, he sees a commercial that convinces him that this he's not the only one. Millions of hard working Americans work themselves to the bone for their entire lives, only to have everything taken away in a flash by the banks when they should be ready to retire in comfort and happiness. And as Brig. Gen. Francis X. Hummel said in The Rock, the situation is unacceptable.
Hence we have an understandable concern about a truly troublesome situation of many people in America, but it's a weak premise for the rest of the movie, possibly because 24 year old Estevez, as Wisdom, looks like he's 16 years old in the entire movie. Granted, his character is not meant to be much older than that, but there is a definite element of juvenile grandiose fantasy that renders much of the movie into something of a high school kid's dream of fame and a life of righteous crime.
Demi Moore, also 24 years old, plays the equally high school-ish love interest, oddly more ready to leave her boyfriend when he's in a persistent bad mood than she is when he runs out of a bank with a gun and jumps in her car and tells her to step on it with no warning or hesitation. The two ultimately become sort of a mesh of Bonnie and Clyde, Robin Hood, Mickey and Mallory, etc., as they cross the country holding up banks, but only for the purpose of burning lots of mortgage records, thereby erasing massive amounts of working class debt. Evidently mortgage companies and banks hold only a single solitary copy of debt records, and clearly there can't have been any computerized records, this is 1986 after all. Computers were like the size of Volkswagens back then, weren't they?
So here are a few reasons that the movie is just about unwatchable. First, there is the acting. I'll just specify the scene where Wisdom finally is able to talk to his parents after being on the run for several days. Very emotional, and quite possibly the least bearable scene in the film. Just stop, Emilio. This, as Roger Ebert might say, is a scene meant to be cut up and made into ukulele picks for the poor. Second, there's the pursuit. The FBI is chasing them, and at one point the head FBI agent worriedly hopes that they can get to them before they get to a certain bank. Would it not be prudent to send some agents straight to that bank to meet them? Thirdly, there's the simplicity of it all. Americans in debt, Wisdom comes in armed with an Uzi to save the day. Please. The last line in the film, more than any other line in any other movie I've ever seen, completely cancels itself out. It literally would have made no difference if the final line had been 'Why did we even make this movie?'
(spoilers) You can kind of track the progression of the writing, the ideas changing and evolving as the story develops. First there's the young kid trying to make some sense out of what he has to work with in his life, then the determined young man out to help his fellow man, then the Robin Hood, sequence, then Bonnie and Clyde after they tarnish their consciences, then the high speed pursuit as the police close in on them despite their own incompetence. The car chase is a great scene, it's a surprisingly well-made car chase for such a weak film, but the build up is heavily flawed. The scene where Demi kills the sheriff is a real forehead slapper.
On the run and with their faces plastered all over the TV and newspapers, Karen (Moore) walks into a convenience store and is shocked to find the sheriff walking in. So what does she do? She walks toward the door, stops behind him, and stares at him like a frightened deer, motionless until he can gradually recognize her. At one point, he even asks her, 'Are you okay, miss?' Sure, she was terrified, but I get so tired of scenes where you're sitting there yelling at the screen because all she has to do is keep walking. Had she just walked out, chances are the sheriff wouldn't have thought twice about it, and just kept right on living. But no, she had to pull out her gun and shoot him, and then jump into the car with her boyfriend so they can zoom down the highway to their deaths.
Sadly, once that car chase is over, it's all downhill. You can't really root for Wisdom to run around killing people, because he's not supposed to be a bad guy and is definitely not supposed to be a killer. Like his choices in life, he was supposed to have been DRIVEN to it by society. He had no choice, right? So why not return fire when they shoot Karen near the end of the film after they try to steal the Mustang? That jerk shot your girlfriend out of a helicopter, man! Shoot it down! Here's my theory Estevez HAD to have known that his audience was going to want him to return fire, the FBI agent had long since been established as an antagonist. I'm sure Emilio wanted to put that in the script as well, a great way for them both to go out in a glorious hail of bullets, he probably just didn't have the budget to blow up a helicopter. So we get this scene in the football stadium. Why the cops went there in the first place I have no idea.
The movie knows what it wants to do and, thematically, it sets about to do it in a straight line. Unfortunately the characters change constantly, each one making ridiculous decisions out of the blue or to support the ridiculous decisions of the other ones, gradually changing into different people as a life of crime can do, but doing so through a series of wholly unbelievable scenes and events. And besides that, Demi had yet to make much of an impression, which surely must have worried her since she has a 10th grade education and doesn't have a lot to fall back on besides acting, and let's face it, Emilio had a rough introduction to writing and directing. Evidently he learned a lot of lessons from this movie before coming back in spectacular form in 1990.
Portrait of a naïve young man--by a naïve young filmmaker...
moonspinner5526 August 2006
23-year-old screw-up decides to "screw the system" by pulling bank heists across the Southwest--not for the money, but to destroy mortgage documents and home loan statements, thereby giving financially-strapped landowners a few months to catch up on their payments. While a noble cause, the young man and his accomplice-girlfriend soon find this isn't exactly a profitable way to become illegal heroes; when he eventually resorts to stealing cash, his adoring public turns on him. Clumsy and awkward directorial debut from Emilio Estevez (with help from veteran director Robert Wise), who also has the lead role and wrote the screenplay. This is the type of vanity project which begins with a baby-photo montage of its star, quickly becoming a derivative 'lovers on the run' saga for bleeding hearts. The script has enough holes to drive a gas-guzzler through, but Estevez left himself an out by concocting a jaw-dropping conclusion. It may carpet the mistakes, but it's a prank played at the viewer's expense. *1/2 from ****
Oh No ! Don't chew the sandwich please !
Queen_of_pentacles30 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
So the Hero thinks it would bring tears to the eyes of the viewers,if he coolly and gallantly keeps munching a stale sandwich, right in front of the police officers,he is sadly mistaken. Because his girlfriend has just succumbed to a gun shot, and their seemingly unending journey has sadly ended . It seems Mr. Wisdom doesn't want to surrender amicably, after all. It hurts, for sure, to give up,his ego being strong , he is not the one to give up easily.
What's with this burning the loan papers in the banks ? eating dough nuts , rolls and chips on the way ? What's his mission ,any way ? Unlike other star couples , Bonny and Clyde, the narrow escapes lack thrill, and seem very casually handled by the script writer and the director.The couple, good looking and young, but drifted , handle deadly guns, and even kill a police officer in a tense situation. Demi looks good , but is quite raw in her acting; any way, she has to just widen her pretty, red lipstick donning sexy mouth, to express her fear,confusion, and fear, all rolled in one. The only touching element,is the truth looming large equally on the heads of the viewers,is the unavoidable end, that the unfortunate couple is heading towards. Well wishers coming and giving them gifts, and then the same elderly couple who run the motel, amongst the audience, now sobbing at the fireworks; And lo ! The run away ,smart couple has actually escaped arrest, and have shown a sense of humor,or should we call it audacity,to place stuffed dolls ,in their beds, Your Mama written on their chests ! Now that's a bit too much, Estevez. Nothing new, only plus point is the unusual music score, as pointed by some other posters,too. i have rated five for a good effort ; could have been better in some expert hands,perhaps.
What's with this burning the loan papers in the banks ? eating dough nuts , rolls and chips on the way ? What's his mission ,any way ? Unlike other star couples , Bonny and Clyde, the narrow escapes lack thrill, and seem very casually handled by the script writer and the director.The couple, good looking and young, but drifted , handle deadly guns, and even kill a police officer in a tense situation. Demi looks good , but is quite raw in her acting; any way, she has to just widen her pretty, red lipstick donning sexy mouth, to express her fear,confusion, and fear, all rolled in one. The only touching element,is the truth looming large equally on the heads of the viewers,is the unavoidable end, that the unfortunate couple is heading towards. Well wishers coming and giving them gifts, and then the same elderly couple who run the motel, amongst the audience, now sobbing at the fireworks; And lo ! The run away ,smart couple has actually escaped arrest, and have shown a sense of humor,or should we call it audacity,to place stuffed dolls ,in their beds, Your Mama written on their chests ! Now that's a bit too much, Estevez. Nothing new, only plus point is the unusual music score, as pointed by some other posters,too. i have rated five for a good effort ; could have been better in some expert hands,perhaps.
Emilio and Demi and a neat original concept
jguz589 September 2005
I've watched Wisdom several times, and still enjoy it every once in a while. I've always been attracted to films with an original idea in them, and this is that kind of flick.
I like Emilio Estevez anyway, and to see him get his first chance to direct was cool. Demi Moore turns in an enjoyable, believable performance too, as did Tom Skerritt and Veronica Cartwright.
The particulars of Wisdom's methods might be a bit muddy, and the end not entirely satisfying to some, but this film is waaay more watchable than what's been out at the theaters lately. Can Hollywood really be SO out of good, original ideas?
I like Emilio Estevez anyway, and to see him get his first chance to direct was cool. Demi Moore turns in an enjoyable, believable performance too, as did Tom Skerritt and Veronica Cartwright.
The particulars of Wisdom's methods might be a bit muddy, and the end not entirely satisfying to some, but this film is waaay more watchable than what's been out at the theaters lately. Can Hollywood really be SO out of good, original ideas?
A weak substitute for 'Falling Down.' (spoilers)
vertigo_145 January 2005
'Wisdom' is the rather mediocre directorial debut of actor Emilio Esteves who plays the outlaw twenty-three year old turned hero, Johnny Wisdom. Wisdom is a young kid with problems finding stable employment because he was convicted of a felony as a teenager. So, he figures that the only option he has left is to become a criminal. Only, he's not really sure what kind of criminal, so in the process of shopping for a cause, he decides to become a criminal "for the people, rather than against them." He comes to this conclusion after watching television and seeing--in those wonderful Reagan Years--numerous working people losing their jobs and the banks coming in to foreclose, especially the farmers. Wisdom becomes a hero to the people because, instead of robbing banks, the fugitive crosses the country with his girlfriend/accomplice (Demi Moore) destroying all of the mortgage records in the banks (you'd think that after the dangerous duo became highly publicized, the banks would've taken precaution and moved their records out of the bank). The people love him, but it won't last long, with a detective close on his trail. You should know how a movie like this ends if you've seen 'Falling Down,' 'Miles From Home,' 'Bonnie and Clyde' (though, they weren't really criminals for the people), or 'The Legend of Billie Jean' (though the hero in Billie Jean doesn't meet the same fate as Wisdom).
The movie labors on terribly for the first half hour, trying to make hero into some sort of confused kid. Although, he looks less like a decided avenger for the people and more like a kid who isn't too sure what he is getting himself into, or that he has the ability to deal with the consequences. I don't know that Esteves made an effective 'Wisdom' this point because while he had that sort of innocent good guy appeal, he never really looked like the kind of guy tough enough to carry out the "mission." And, as another viewer wrote, he was just too young looking for the part and the "adventure" plays out at many points like a teenage fantasy, especially when he and his girlfriend get their pictures in the paper. He seems like less and less of a hero as the movie progresses and more like just a naive kid (his girlfriend, too).
And, while there are many moments of comedic dialog, overall the dialog is quite cheesy, sprinkled with inappropriately timed confessions of 'I love you' from the girlfriend, or pretty much most of the dialog at the end. Esteves wrote a script that was peppered with a bit too much cheesiness (this was not his writing debut, since he wrote the screenplay to 'That Was Then, This is Now').
The only real bonus to the movie is the climactic car chase in which several cop cars get rudely drilled. I'll have to agree with the other viewer who wrote that, it is all downhill from here. You should know how it is going to end up anyways, by that point.
The movie labors on terribly for the first half hour, trying to make hero into some sort of confused kid. Although, he looks less like a decided avenger for the people and more like a kid who isn't too sure what he is getting himself into, or that he has the ability to deal with the consequences. I don't know that Esteves made an effective 'Wisdom' this point because while he had that sort of innocent good guy appeal, he never really looked like the kind of guy tough enough to carry out the "mission." And, as another viewer wrote, he was just too young looking for the part and the "adventure" plays out at many points like a teenage fantasy, especially when he and his girlfriend get their pictures in the paper. He seems like less and less of a hero as the movie progresses and more like just a naive kid (his girlfriend, too).
And, while there are many moments of comedic dialog, overall the dialog is quite cheesy, sprinkled with inappropriately timed confessions of 'I love you' from the girlfriend, or pretty much most of the dialog at the end. Esteves wrote a script that was peppered with a bit too much cheesiness (this was not his writing debut, since he wrote the screenplay to 'That Was Then, This is Now').
The only real bonus to the movie is the climactic car chase in which several cop cars get rudely drilled. I'll have to agree with the other viewer who wrote that, it is all downhill from here. You should know how it is going to end up anyways, by that point.
I seriously don't think it was THAT bad
Giggles8220 December 2002
I think alot of people knew from the get-go this movie wasnt going to be a award winning movie, but I don't think the movie was horrible. It certainly wasn't Emilio or Demi's finest work but for being the age Emilio was when he wrote and directed this movie, he didn't do that bad of a job. As far as the critics go with this movie: In my opinion they weren't going to be kind with this movie no matter how it good it was because of Demi and Emilio's "Brat pack" status.
What a waste
Libbets9 December 1999
I wouldnt recommend this film to anyone. The script is terrible, the acting is awful, there is no characterisation. All Demi Moore does is smile, Estevez tries to play the big hero and fails. The whole film is a mess and the ending is a complete and utter cop out.
Misfire modern day Robin Hood tale gets points for effort and likable cast
a_chinn24 December 2017
Emilio Estevez made his directorial debut with this story of young lovers on the run. The story finds Estevez unable to get work because he stole a car in high school and has a criminal record, so fed up he decides to stick it to the man by robbing banks not of money, but by stealing loan and mortgage records to help farmers and working class folks. Estevez and girlfriend Demi Moore go on a cross country crime spree ALA Bonnie & Clyde, with the FBI hot on their trail. Unfortunately, the characters and story are not all that interesting or engaging, and the plot seems overly contrived, but the cast is likable, which besides Estevez and Moore includes Tom Skerritt and Veronica Cartwright and Emilio's parents (Charlie Sheen has a cameo as the manager of a burger joint). As weak as this film was, I do want to give it credit for trying to be about something. There is a clear political agenda to the film, about the "little guy" being held down by rich and powerful interests, so I do want to comment Estevez for trying to make something beyond simple entertainment (even though it wasn't all that entertaining). It's kind of like when Steven Seagal threw in pro-environmental messages in "On Deadly Ground" and "Fire Down Below" and was able to reach audiences not commonly exposed to films espousing lefty politics. Danny Elfman composted the film's score (only his fourth film) and it sounds quite different from most of his scores, sounding much more like something by Stewart Copeland, which is actually kind fo cool. Overall, "Wisdom" is a weak film, but gets points for effort.
Beyond Implausible
SubterraneanCinema16 May 2007
The comments above have brought out many of the glaring flaws in this bizarre vanity piece from the 80s. Here's another one: how is it that he cant get a job because he's a "felon" (not even flipping burgers), but he can buy an Uzi right over the counter without a waiting period or a background check? Wouldn't his status as a "felon" show up when the gun shop owner checked his record? Or didn't they do that in 1985? The first scene in the flower shop with Emilio and Demi is a prime example of the pathetically juvenile nature of the dialogue, it sounds like this was something Emilio first dreamed up in junior high school (which he probably did), trying to write a script for an "outlaw" film that would also please his ultra-liberal dad. The mild sexual talk is immature and inexplicable. Demi: "You cant even get it up if there's a cool breeze going thru my bedroom". Huh?? And they call each other "babe" like two self-conscious 15 year olds pretending to be an adult couple. It's no wonder they broke up not longer after this film and moved on to other partners, after they grew up.
not on DVD????
notsomighty19 June 2006
why is this movie not on DVD?
and why when i ask if they've seen it do people look at me like i've got three heads?
and why have most of the IMDb comments ripped into it? its great!!OK its no empire strikes back or shawshank redemption but it does the job.good story,good soundtrack,demi moore,what else do you want? i have no doubt that some pretentious English lit grad budding movie reviewer is gonna shoot me down but it ticks all my boxes,if you've not seen it check it out, good old 80's semi post brat pack action pack fun!! that is of course my opinion, you are entitled to yours also.
and why when i ask if they've seen it do people look at me like i've got three heads?
and why have most of the IMDb comments ripped into it? its great!!OK its no empire strikes back or shawshank redemption but it does the job.good story,good soundtrack,demi moore,what else do you want? i have no doubt that some pretentious English lit grad budding movie reviewer is gonna shoot me down but it ticks all my boxes,if you've not seen it check it out, good old 80's semi post brat pack action pack fun!! that is of course my opinion, you are entitled to yours also.
sheesh, it's not THAT bad...
mcfly-3116 July 2002
The critics love dubbing this "Wis-dumb", but I've never understood the harshness. Sure, this film isn't amazing, kind of in one ear out the other entertainment, but in my opinion undeserving of the worst of all time list. I can honestly say "Wisdom" spoke to me, especially in my late teens and early twenties and I think a lot of guys that age may feel the same. You always reach that point after high school of what to do now, or trying to find a job that you love. Estevez character faces those couple of things plus the fact that he has a felony attached to his name after a night of mistakes a few years earlier. Deciding that there isn't much for him out there in life, he's intrigued by a tv report documenting the financial problems farmers are having in the midwest. So he ends up (and this is where it gets tricky when trying to explain the film's plot to people) bombing and burning loan information kept in banks. The odd thing is that he begins this close to home in LA, but then heads east where the cause will have effect. Along for the ride is his loving girlfriend, played by Moore in one of her more sweeter performances. I just feel that Estevez really nailed her character by making her the sympathetic "I'll do anything for you" type. Not to mention that she's gorgeous and gives him plenty of physical love, even while on the lam. She really came off as a semi-dreamgirl. Meanwhile, as they head from town to town, there's a subplot about a determined FBI agent out to get Estevez, nicely played by Young. Some acuse the ending of being a copout, but I'm with others who enjoyed its originality. There's a good amount of drama as to what he will decide to do in that one moment. The film also includes some excellent Danny Elfman music, an actual song at the end along with a sensitive piano score. Overall, this flick is far from Oscar winning material, but it has some interesting ideas and should pass the time either way, as a bad or good two hours.
Wisdom - wouldn't you do the same?
mikomijade12 August 2007
I can still remember this film though I have seen it when I was somewhere like 14 years old. I feel like this is the story to listen to but not by the simple people all over the world but by those who are on the top of the power ladder. The rich get richer and poor become even more poor and there must be something changed about this - there must be someone. So the main character decides to be that someone, only not in the legal way. When in the end he comes to some conclusions.... I disagree that this movie is bad or that Emilio acted not well. This movie had a profound impression on me and I still think of it as of a good social drama.
His father starred in "Badlands", which this movie is a copy of. Great eighties action movie. Recommended for Estevez and Demi Moore fans.
imseeg27 May 2020
Only 13 years before this movie was made, in 1973, the father of Emilio Estevez (Martin Sheen) starred in the brilliant classic "Badlands", which has a similar storyline. This 1986 movie "Wisdom" is nowhere near as impressive as that seventies classic though, but "Wisdom" is definitely still worth a watch. Especially the acting is great. So if you like(d) Emilio Estevez and Demi Moore in the past, this movie is definitely worth a watch. Back to the eighties!
The story is simple. Emilio Estevez and his girlfriend Demi Moore, steal from the rich (the corrupt banks) and give to the poor (the American farmers). Will they get away with this Robin Hood kind of crime?
The good: the acting is really good. It's a lighthearted story, with a few subtle jokes and a few puppy love romantic scenes, but it's most of all a thrilling and suspenseful bank robbers movie, with lots of hold ups and chases.
Any bad? It's a bit silly now and then, credibility wise. It has got that eighties sound, with the silly synthesizer music. But overall these faults are minor. This is one heck of a charming action movie. Definitely a forgotten movie, that is worth more attention. Still quite enjoyable after 30 years.
The story is simple. Emilio Estevez and his girlfriend Demi Moore, steal from the rich (the corrupt banks) and give to the poor (the American farmers). Will they get away with this Robin Hood kind of crime?
The good: the acting is really good. It's a lighthearted story, with a few subtle jokes and a few puppy love romantic scenes, but it's most of all a thrilling and suspenseful bank robbers movie, with lots of hold ups and chases.
Any bad? It's a bit silly now and then, credibility wise. It has got that eighties sound, with the silly synthesizer music. But overall these faults are minor. This is one heck of a charming action movie. Definitely a forgotten movie, that is worth more attention. Still quite enjoyable after 30 years.
Original (before Fight Club)
selfplex4 October 2006
For its time, and given the youth and inexperience of Estevez as a director, this is a highly original and entertaining film. I write this comment twenty years after its release. I especially like it when Estevez (Wisdom) buys the Uzi, and has no idea what he's doing. This is a great contrast to so many action flicks where the players are experts in weapons, explosives, battle tactics, etc., because they're former Special Forces guys.
The supporting actors, though few are known to me, actually perform admirably, including one we know well-- Charlie Sheen. We're tempted to ask, "What ever happened" to Emilio, but tends to forget he did a great body of work when many of us were still children.
I generously give it an eight, in context.
The supporting actors, though few are known to me, actually perform admirably, including one we know well-- Charlie Sheen. We're tempted to ask, "What ever happened" to Emilio, but tends to forget he did a great body of work when many of us were still children.
I generously give it an eight, in context.
An excellent, offbeat, thought provoking movie...
ghost-918 June 2001
Who doesn't fantasize about trying to make the world a better place. Emilio Estevez is a charismatic actor who has written a good story and he plays the part well. Demi Moore is a doll in the film and I don't believe the movie takes itself too seriously, just seriously enough. It's not a movie that can be taken at face value. He's not saying we should burn mortgages anymore than Cameron is saying we should shoot up police departments in TERMINATOR.
The movie is a power fantasy and says so. Well done, good job Mr. Estevez. I was going to give this movie an 8/10 but since it already has a low score, I'll give it a 10. I'm proud to own this movie on videotape. >
The movie is a power fantasy and says so. Well done, good job Mr. Estevez. I was going to give this movie an 8/10 but since it already has a low score, I'll give it a 10. I'm proud to own this movie on videotape. >
Fantastic Thought Provoking Fantasy Film, That's Extremely Well Written And Directed By Estevez, With 2 Amazing Performances From Emilio Estevez And Demi Moore!
callanvass27 September 2005
Warning: Spoilers
This is a fantastic thought provoking film that's extremely well written and directed by Estevez, with 2 amazing performances from Emilio Estevez and Demi Moore!. All the characters are wonderful, and the story is constantly engrossing, plus Emilio Estevez and Demi Moore are simply amazing in this!. The ending is quite sad and really leaves you thinking, and i thought Estevez and Demi had excellent chemistry together!, plus i was rooting for the 2 main characters all the way, and agreed with what they were doing for the most part!. Critcs panned this, and i can't see why, it's a wonderful film in all aspects!, plus the looks on the faces of Wisdom's parents really got to me!. The opening and ending narration is really cool, and i was quite shocked by some of the twists in the story!, plus a lot of moments disturbed (but in a good way) as well!. I thought Estevez's acting was fantastic!, and i think it's incredibly underrated, plus i can't believe this only has 4.9 rating as it should be much higher in my opinion!, and to think it was all a dream!. This is a fantastic thought provoking film, that's extremely well written and directed by Estevez, with 2 amazing performances from Emilio Estevez and Demi Moore, and i say Go see it now!. The Direction is fantastic!. Emilio Estevez does a fantastic Job here, with wonderful camera work, awesome angles, and keeping the film at an extremely engrossing pace!. The Acting is amazing!. Emilio Estevez is AMAZING as always, and is amazing here!, he is extremely likable, gives one of his best performances, had excellent chemistry with Demi Moore, i really felt for his character, and he was extremely believable as well, he was amazing! (Estevez Rules!!!!!). Demi Moore is also amazing as always and is STUNNINGLY GORGEOUS!, she is fantastic in the acting department, is adorable, had excellent chemistry with Estevez, had a great lovable character and just did an amazing job! (Demi Rules!). Tom Skerritt and Veronica Cartwright are fantastic as the parents and i really felt for them both, i liked them lots!. William Allen Young is good as the FBI agent and did his job well. Rest of the cast do fine. Overall Go see it now!. ***** out of 5
A must see for all Emilio fans
deadfeetsmell22 November 2005
Lets face it most Emilio fans will have already seen this but if by some slim chance they have not then they are in for a treat as this is up there with the best of his movies.I had never heard of this film until at work one day my boss told me about the worst video he had ever seen.It was called Wisdom and so the next time i was at the video store i hired it to see if it really was that bad. Boy was he wrong,although it was never a blockbuster of a movie it draws you in from the very start as John Wisdom tells the tale of how through past criminal events he was no longer able to hold down a job, never mind get a job start with. You go through his dispare of losing the life and direction he could of had and leaves him with little option in life but to become a criminal as society has labelled him and this is what he excels in and becomes a hero and criminal for the people.Demi Moore is his unwitting partner in crime which takes you on a journey in which there is never going to be a happy ending (or is there) I must of seen this 10 times over the last 15 years and have never tired of it.Remember this is a 80s movie and with Emilio Estevez being the youngest person to ever write,produce,direct and star in a multi million dollar movie i don't think enough people give him due credit for his talents. Lets hope one day its released on DVD with loads of extra
Spoiler
daveclarkvibe12 December 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Is it all a dream? This is one of the best movies ever for a sad ending thwarted by the idea that what was just seen was perhaps just a dream that only lasted a few minutes in the sub-conscious mind of the star of the film. Desperation from unemployment and early mistakes in life are taken on from the dark comedy perspective and Estevez decides to do the only job society has decided he is fit to perform, that of being a criminal. Interestingly society then becomes his largest supporter as he flees the law, until a chance encounter turns sour, and suddenly there appears only one possible outcome will prevail. Do yourself a favor and rent this one.
I love the 80s.
davideid13 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I have to give kudos to Emilio. 23 years old. Directing a film. Okay it had its flaws and could've been better made especially in the end. The movie was great upon the sheriff getting killed. The movie could've been that they get caught after all of these bank heists. After that they could've gotten to court to be sentenced to prison but thr people who adore them overturn the judges decision. Yipikayay everyone's happy. Anyway Emilio has earned my respect for having balls to do a movie at 23 years old. Demi Moore had a great performance as a supporting actress especially after she killed the cop. I love Demi Moore. Anyway any 80s movie with the brat pack is good. I wish I lived in the 80s. Peace.
The best work Emilio Estevez has done to date. Credit to writing ability.
Turk 182-27 September 2000
Ever have one of those days where things just kind of get out of control and REALLY go from bad to worse? John Wisdom seems like a normal-enough guy who did the same stupid things we all did at that age, except he went a little further. He "borrowed" a car and got caught. Now, forever branded a convicted felon, he sees his future as a series of minimum wage jobs and boredom. One day that all changes, and it goes out of control. Watch the movie for the rest of the story. You won't be dissappointed. Hint: Watch ALL of the movie.
It's a great story, very believable with some action and excellent chemistry between its' stars, Demi Moore and Estevez. Tom Skirret plays his father, who doesn't know how to help his son. Actually, he hasn't a clue what to do. It's part fantasy and real Americana. This movie is a sleeper.
It's a great story, very believable with some action and excellent chemistry between its' stars, Demi Moore and Estevez. Tom Skirret plays his father, who doesn't know how to help his son. Actually, he hasn't a clue what to do. It's part fantasy and real Americana. This movie is a sleeper.
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