Themes: Unlikely Criminals, Social Injustice, Lovers on the Lam
Main Cast: Emilio Estevez, Demi Moore, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, William Allen Young
Release Year: 1986
Country: US
Run Time: 109 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
In this film, an old felony conviction comes back to haunt the young, ambitious John Wisdom (Emilio Estevez) as he applies and is turned down for a number of jobs. Frustrated by his attempts to make a legitimate living, John and his girlfriend, Karen (Demi Moore), set out to commit a series of bank robberies, using the money to ease the plight of down-on-their-luck farmers. Emilio Estevez wrote, directed, and starred in this feature. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
William Allen Young - John Williamson, F.B.I. Agent
Richard Minchenberg - Cooper, F.B.I. Agent; Ernie Brown - Motel Manager; Estee Chandler - Female Teller; Sid Conrad - Farmer; Hal Fishman - Network Anchorman; Bill Henderson - Theo; Chuck Henry - Local Anchorman; Charlie Holliday - Bob; Santos Morales - Al Gomez; Ron Presson - Guard at Bank No. 1; Gene Ross - Sheriff; Janet Rotblatt - Elderly Lady on Street; Charlie Sheen - City Burger Manager; Nick Shields - Gun Salesman; Liam Sullivan - Luke Perry; Jeff Boudov - Minnesota Bank Teller; Leon Corcos - Leon; Gus Corrado - Yuppie Employer; Beau Dare - FBI Agent; David de Francesca - Albuquerque Officer; John Deaderick - Bank Customer; Golden Henning - Katie; Devon Bob Jones - Teacher; Walker Jimmy Lane - Night Manager at Mini-Mart; Erika Lincoln - Woman on Street; Kate McKinnon - Nancy; Jamie Namson - Helicopter Pilot; Gil Parra - SWAT Team Leader; Henry Proach - Old Man on Street; Tim Sapunor - Matt; Edward Walter Smith; Rene Sprattling - Carol; Barbara Stamm - Loan Officer at Bank No. 1; Thomas Will-Ellis; Matt Robinson - Young Man
Credit
Dina Danielson - Art Director, Dins Danielsen - Art Director, Penny Perry - Casting, Jonathan Kinsey - Costume Designer, Bernard Williams - First Assistant Director, Emilio Estevez - Director, Michael Kahn - Editor, Robert Wise - Executive Producer, Danny Elfman - Composer (Music Score), Gar Austin - Songwriter, Danny Elfman - Songwriter, Ron Gertz - Songwriter, Kyle Tucy - Makeup, Dennis Gassner - Production Designer, Adam Greenberg - Cinematographer, Bernard Williams - Producer, David Begelman - Producer, Richard Hoover - Set Designer, Richard Helmer - Special Effects, Richard Portman - Sound/Sound Designer, Bud Davis - Stunts, Emilio Estevez - Screenwriter
The film was not popular with critics; Leonard Maltin considered it "wretchedly scripted, with one of the most self-defeating wrap-ups you'll ever see." On March 23, 2009, Warner Brothers announced Wisdom would be available as one of the films in its special "Warner Archive" promotion. The film could be special ordered on DVD or downloaded directly to a customer's PC.
Synopsis
John Wisdom (Estevez) is a young man just out of college. He's branded a "Felon" after a grand theft auto conviction on the night of his high school graduation, and as a result can't hold down a decent job. Seeing little future for himself, Wisdom takes a left turn: he becomes a criminal "for the people," evocative of Robin Hood. After seeing news reports about all the impoverished farmers and working class being sent to the bank to pay ownership debts, Wisdom goes on a bank robbing spree with his girlfriend Karen (Moore); they erase loan and mortgage records, buying time for the poor to pay their debts. As if having the FBI on their tail wasn't enough, things take a turn for the worse when a panicky Karen murders a local sheriff. She and Wisdom make a run for the Canadian border, but when Karen is shot by a police helicopter, Wisdom leaves her in the care of some university medical students. He resumes his flight, but is surrounded by cops and feds at a college football field. Wisdom attempts to bluff his way out, but is riddled with gunfire and dies.
John wakes up where the movie started, in his parents' bathroom. He emerges from the shower and proceeds to get ready for his job interview. His entire story has been, apparently, a daydream.
