The theme of werewolves is often used as a symbolism for human emotion. In Ginger Snaps the metaphor was the 'change' for women, in Wolfen it is man's insufferable tendency to take over things and destroy them while playing God, and here it is a fine balance of the corporate world and how men behave more like animals to stay on top.
Here we have a rather unusual film simply because it's a werewolf drama more than anything else. Yes, that's right...drama.

Will Randall, a man in the publishing world, is driving home late one night when lo and behold, his car strikes down an animal. A conscientious sort, he quickly gets out of his car and goes to make sure the creature is not suffering. Once near, however, it jumps up and gives him a healthy bite, in view of several wolves hidden in the trees surrounding them. Alarmed, freaked out and in pain, Randall quickly saunters back to his car and drives off. Once back at home he tends to the bite but doesn't overdo it, his mind too hectic with trying to climb to the top and stay there at the business.

At work things aren't going so well, though, as a corporate ladder type proves to be cut throat. His wife is suspiciously occupied, and Randall begins to notice strange, subtle things about himself. For one thing, his sense of hearing heightens. He begins to hear office gossip and all the good stuff even more clearly, his sense of smell enables him to discover a colleague has been drinking tequila in the morning, and his predatory instinct causes him to pee on a co-workers foot. Not able to find help at the doctors, he seeks the help of an alternative healer, who informs him that he is turning into a genuine wolf.

Meanwhile, Randall's character meets Laura Alden, the daughter of the corporate big wig who ends up giving Randall the shaft and replacing him with his protge. Cold and offstandish, the two inevitably slowly hit it off, with Alden becoming an aide to Randall in his time of need. Her role is of course a big one, and it's easy to ascertain this just by reading the back cover blurb of the story. A little romance is inevitable, and their relationship certainly proves to be an intriguing one.

Plot wise, enough of the old werewolf legend and crutches remain to make it all too familiar; there's  not much that's overly new here in that regard, except for a few instances, such as once the change has taken place, it's done. In human life Randall was a bit of a weakling; his wife chastised him for allowing himself to be put down, and he was blinded by false friendship from the man who ultimately betrayed him. When bitten, though, his stronger and more predatory instincts kick in, causing him to take control of the reigns and come back to the top of his world once again.

Jack Nicholson is good in whatever he does; this is a slightly different part for the man who isn't a stranger to the odd in film. His personality just works with horror.. He's a bit stiffer than usual roles he picks, and more restrained, but his acting ability allows for this to be carried off. Pfeiffer is truly gorgeous as Laura. Being the rich and misunderstood beautiful girl, she makes a surprisingly sympathetic ally to Jack's character, Randall, in his time of need. James Spader often plays the villainous roles, so here he fits into the part like a silk glove on a well manicured hand. All acting is fine and top notch, as this is a top cast horror film, and of course this adds to the overall experience.

Ennio Morricone's score is nearly Hitchcock like, fitting beautifully with the piece. The direction by Mike Nichols is artful, skillful, and visually pleasing. Being careful to choose films that suit his style (He also did the memorable Graduate), he's an underrated gem. Quick and slow zooms are used often, and the cinematography is an ideal match for this type of film. When a werewolf is shown, the make up job is excellent, portraying a realistic type of werewolf and not some supernaturally overcome creature.

Where this film excels is in its more adult and modern approach to the lycanthrope legend. It's learned that the change is inevitable and that things can be a blessing if you give them a chance and make the best of the situation; that's its survival of the fittest and that additional, needed strength is never a bad thing. The interaction between Pfeiffer and Nicholson's character is intriguing, and their rocky romance is a thing to be reckoned with. This includes Randall's dealings with his boss and forcing his way to the top by making be a hard ass and taking back his dignity. All heart warming stuff that works somehow with the werewolf story.

Flaws are present too, of course. At times the movies pace is arduously slow, moving along at a near boring pace. If you want excitement, you have to look out for it. The fight scenes are minimal, nearly no blood or gore and violence is shown, and if you're a werewolf fan who looks forward to graphic changes, you'd better look elsewhere. Traditional werewolf happenings are amiss, although if you do crave excitement the only scene is a sad one with a deer. How I'd rather see people slaughtered instead! Tension and suspense aren't high, and there is absolutely no scare factor present. What IS interesting is psychological tension between the characters, shown more in verbal exchanges over the usual physical.

Overall it's an intriguing enough film that's fun to watch for Nicholson and Pfeiffer's performance. It's slower and almost not horror at all with its lack of attempted scare and suspense. There's virtually no violence, and if you're watching it's more for mind banter and subtle changes. Still worth a view but hardly a classic in the genre.
The theme of werewolves is often used as a symbolism for human emotion. In Ginger Snaps the metaphor was the 'change' for women, in Wolfen it is man's insufferable tendency to take over things and destroy them while playing God, and here it is a fine balance of the corporate world and how men behave more like animals to stay on top. Here we have a rather unusual film simply because it's a werewolf drama more than anything else. Yes, that's right... drama. Will Randall, a man in the publishing world, is driving home late one night when lo and behold, his car strikes down an animal. A conscientious sort, he quickly gets out of his car and goes to make sure the creature is not suffering. Once near, however, it jumps up and gives him a healthy bite, in view of several wolves hidden in the trees surrounding them. Alarmed, freaked out and in pain, Randall quickly saunters back to his car and drives off. Once back at home he tends to the bite but doesn't overdo it, his mind too hectic with trying to climb to the top and stay there at the business. At work things aren't going so well, though, as a corporate ladder type proves to be cut throat. His wife is suspiciously occupied, and Randall begins to notice strange, subtle things about himself. For one thing, his sense of hearing heightens. He begins to hear office gossip and all the good stuff even more clearly, his sense of smell enables him to discover a colleague has been drinking tequila in the morning, and his predatory instinct causes him to pee on a co-workers foot. Not able to find help at the doctors, he seeks the help of an alternative healer, who informs him that he is turning into a genuine wolf. Meanwhile, Randall's character meets Laura Alden, the daughter of the corporate big wig who ends up giving Randall the shaft and replacing him with his protge. Cold and offstandish, the two inevitably slowly hit it off, with Alden becoming an aide to Randall in his time of need. Her role is of course a big one, and it's easy to ascertain this just by reading the back cover blurb of the story. A little romance is inevitable, and their relationship certainly proves to be an intriguing one. Plot wise, enough of the old werewolf legend and crutches remain to make it all too familiar; there's  not much that's overly new here in that regard, except for a few instances, such as once the change has taken place, it's done. In human life Randall was a bit of a weakling; his wife chastised him for allowing himself to be put down, and he was blinded by false friendship from the man who ultimately betrayed him. When bitten, though, his stronger and more predatory instincts kick in, causing him to take control of the reigns and come back to the top of his world once again. Jack Nicholson is good in whatever he does; this is a slightly different part for the man who isn't a stranger to the odd in film. His personality just works with horror.. He's a bit stiffer than usual roles he picks, and more restrained, but his acting ability allows for this to be carried off. Pfeiffer is truly gorgeous as Laura. Being the rich and misunderstood beautiful girl, she makes a surprisingly sympathetic ally to Jack's character, Randall, in his time of need. James Spader often plays the villainous roles, so here he fits into the part like a silk glove on a well manicured hand. All acting is fine and top notch, as this is a top cast horror film, and of course this adds to the overall experience. Ennio Morricone's score is nearly Hitchcock like, fitting beautifully with the piece. The direction by Mike Nichols is artful, skillful, and visually pleasing. Being careful to choose films that suit his style (He also did the memorable Graduate), he's an underrated gem. Quick and slow zooms are used often, and the cinematography is an ideal match for this type of film. When a werewolf is shown, the make up job is excellent, portraying a realistic type of werewolf and not some supernaturally overcome creature. Where this film excels is in its more adult and modern approach to the lycanthrope legend. It's learned that the change is inevitable and that things can be a blessing if you give them a chance and make the best of the situation; that's its survival of the fittest and that additional, needed strength is never a bad thing. The interaction between Pfeiffer and Nicholson's character is intriguing, and their rocky romance is a thing to be reckoned with. This includes Randall's dealings with his boss and forcing his way to the top by making be a hard ass and taking back his dignity. All heart warming stuff that works somehow with the werewolf story. Flaws are present too, of course. At times the movies pace is arduously slow, moving along at a near boring pace. If you want excitement, you have to look out for it. The fight scenes are minimal, nearly no blood or gore and violence is shown, and if you're a werewolf fan who looks forward to graphic changes, you'd better look elsewhere. Traditional werewolf happenings are amiss, although if you do crave excitement the only scene is a sad one with a deer. How I'd rather see people slaughtered instead! Tension and suspense aren't high, and there is absolutely no scare factor present. What IS interesting is psychological tension between the characters, shown more in verbal exchanges over the usual physical. Overall it's an intriguing enough film that's fun to watch for Nicholson and Pfeiffer's performance. It's slower and almost not horror at all with its lack of attempted scare and suspense. There's virtually no violence, and if you're watching it's more for mind banter and subtle changes. Still worth a view but hardly a classic in the genre.