I went to a media screening of Wild Horse Nine knowing almost nothing about it. John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell and Steve Buscemi were all the invitation I needed — and a Tom Waits cameo sounded like a very welcome bonus.
Set in Santiago in 1973, against the turmoil of the military coup that led to President Salvador Allende’s death, the film follows CIA agent Chris (Malkovich), who’s seriously ill and losing his memory. His boss, MJ (Buscemi), wants to know what Chris remembers about 22 November 1963 — the day JFK was assassinated — and where the rifle is. Chris, meanwhile, is determined to write his memoirs. That stubborn urge to get his version down on paper gives the story its momentum. Spoiler alert: it starts with dinosaurs.
It’s a wonderfully odd set-up, and the film has a knack for making even its bleakest details darkly funny (like the the lisping cancer’s sad memoir). Chris’ cancer is left frustratingly vague: he coughs blood and forgets things (or does he?).
Death hangs over the story — in Chris’ illness, the violence carried out by him and his partner Lee (Rockwell), and the deaths the coming coup will bring. Yet Wild Horse Nine never feels relentlessly grim. Its sepia, memory-soaked look gives the film a softer, dreamier quality, while Monica, a student played by Mariana di Girolamo, brings discourse to Chris’ encounters at the airport, hotel and beach.
A late reveal shifts how you see the events, even if calling it a full-blown twist might be a stretch.
The performances are the main attraction, and what a cast to watch. Malkovich is an absolute master of his craft: funny, fragile and quietly moving, he’s the film’s clear standout. Rockwell is excellent as Lee, bringing his own spark to the partnership. Buscemi gets less screen time, but makes the most of it, while di Girolamo gives Monica real presence and heart. The scenery, particularly Rapa Nui, earns its own little round of applause.
The film does sometimes feel less like a tightly woven story and more like a delivery system for great acting. Its plot doesn’t always pull together as neatly as its cast does. Still, there’s plenty to enjoy in its performances, atmosphere and wonderfully peculiar moments.
Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars
Malkovich: 1 | Rockwell: 1 | Mariana di Girolamo: 0.5 | Scenery: 0.25
I wouldn’t rush out to pay cinema-ticket prices for Wild Horse Nine, and it’s not the easiest watch after a long day. But it’s a very good choice for home viewing, especially if you’re a Malkovich or Rockwell fan and want to see two actors bringing real heart to an unusual film.
A great review, thank you, and no spoilers 🙂 I’m a big fan of all three stars, it’s certainly one I’ll see.