Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Strong acting, clichéd storytelling in coming-of-age drama.
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Wolves
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In WOLVES, Anthony Keller (Taylor John Smith) is a high school basketball star who's looking forward to attending college at Cornell. But several problems arise. Anthony's kindness and teamwork on the court are frowned on by the college coach, his girlfriend might be pregnant, and his father, Lee (Michael Shannon), is far from a worthy role model. An arrogant college literature professor as well as a compulsive gambler, Lee has amassed an enormous debt, and dangerous people are after him. Then, Lee aggressively and cruelly injures Anthony during a game of one-on-one. Anthony sits out the next big game, but when he realizes that his father might have taken advantage of his injury, he makes a drastic decision.
Is It Any Good?
While the performances are strong in this coming-of-age drama, it suffers from being too familiar and predictable, with wobbly, hand-held camerawork continually breaking the storytelling's spell. Writer/director Bart Freundlich (Catch That Kid) chose his cast well: Shannon is one of the greatest actors working today, and he isn't afraid to explore his character's deepest inadequacies. It looks like Smith can actually play ball, and, as Anthony's mother, Carla Gugino is an active character rather than just being there to support the male characters. Plus, Chris Bauer is striking as Anthony's Uncle Charlie, a man with a past of his own.
But Wolves' awkward, greenish-gray cinematography makes the character moments feel staged, rather than natural, and the random cutting makes the basketball games feel choppy rather than dramatic. Moreover, bits of plot feel awkwardly smashed into place, giving the characters less time to breathe and be fleshed out. But perhaps most distracting is the movie's similarity -- and, alas, inferiority -- to Karel Reisz and James Toback's excellent 1974 film The Gambler, as well as the 2014 Mark Wahlberg remake.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Wolves. Which parts of it were shocking? What did the filmmakers choose to show and choose not to show? How does that affect its impact?
What does the movie have to say about teens having sex? What are the upsides and downsides to this? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
How is drinking shown in the movie? Does it look appealing or cool? Does it have consequences? Why does that matter?
How does Wolves compare to other basketball movies you've seen? Other coming-of-age movies?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 3, 2017
- On DVD or streaming : August 8, 2017
- Cast : Taylor John Smith , Carla Gugino , Michael Shannon
- Director : Bart Freundlich
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : IFC Films
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 109 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language throughout and brief sexuality
- Last updated : February 15, 2023
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