The prospect of caring for an elderly or mentally unwell parent is a daunting and all too real prospect for many people from all over. That’s what makes writer/director/star Riley Cusick’s The Wild Man so relatable. On the surface, it trades in quirky indie film sensibilities with its tender folky soundtrack and its general premise, but the young filmmaker opts for genuine humanity over superficial laughter and feel-good foolishness.
Cusick plays our lead (despite not giving himself top billing), the dedicated but exhausted Scott. Though only 25, Scott has been caring for his father Jeff (played by Chance Gibbs while in the suit) since his mother abandoned them when he was in high school. See, his father, the titular wild man, had some sort of mental break and now believes he’s a bear. Compounding this difficulty is Jeff’s insistence on wearing a bear costume at all times, even while sleeping or using the restroom. Jeff’s mask is actually a ram’s head, but this detail actually furthers the film’s themes about identity and how we look versus who we are on the inside.
Adding to Scott’s responsibilities is his only other family member, Uncle Walter (fan favorite Larry Fessenden). Plagued with his own issues, the freewheeling and often drunk Walter’s proclivity for claiming stolen valor soon puts him in harm’s way. Between Walter’s misadventures and a looming decision about placing Jeff in an assisted living facility, Scott is at a breaking point. However, the unexpected arrival into his life of Jackie (Jenna Kanell), a house-arrested single young mother, offers a glimmer of happiness. Cult film fans will also be pleased to know that Kelli Maroney, of Chopping Mall and Night of the Comet fame, has a small role as a family doctor.
The Wild Man is very much concerned with character, and so performances are of paramount importance. Cusick’s turn as the put-upon and perpetually apologizing Scott endears us to him and anchors the film in a believable reality. It’s assured work and Cusick smartly never makes the easy choices of coming across as pathetic or comedic. Fessenden has the flashier role and knocks it out of the park. His Walter embraces the chaos that Scott futilely attempts to control. It’s a colorful effort that counters the more serious notes embodied by Scott’s struggles. Kanell is also able to carve out her own niche in the story by not going overboard on the mysteries that envelop Jackie. She’s not defined by these aspects, and Kanell emphasizes her determination to have a new start, making for a more complex and interesting character. Though Gibbs is concealed within a cumbersome animal suit for the entire runtime, he still manages to convey some essential emotion.
Cusick’s scripting is tight and purposeful. Characters are clearly written with distinctive personalities. Themes ring through with honesty and clarity. There’s an ever-so-slight glaze of fairytale elements that actually heightens the narrative’s clear-eyed humanity. This is a film with a lot of heart but it never veers into mere sentimentality. Cusick maintains a grasp on realism and authenticity despite having a hook that could have easily crossed into the realm of the bizarre. At just over an hour and a half, he tells his story and resolves his themes, albeit not without a hint of welcome ambiguity.
Carson Bailie’s photography helps in crafting the careful tone. It’s not flashy work, though the dedication to storytelling is apparent. There are striking images, but they are nevertheless grounded in everyday mundane reality. Sets and locations are recognizable even while the story could take place in just about any small town. I wouldn’t say the palette is particularly warm, but Bailie captures the emotional familiarity that the plot requires, resulting in a blanketing watch that alternately comforts and distresses.
Riley Cusick’s The Wild Man is a small but satisfying story that undercuts our expectations of what its premise might deliver. It’s honestly composed work from such a young filmmaker. It’s currently making the festival rounds and has had some limited engagements, but I have no doubt it will be available via streaming or on-demand soon. The Wild Man is recommended for fans of Lost in Translation, Little Miss Sunshine, and Silver Linings Playbook.
Michael Cavender