Wild at Heart is a 1990 American neo-noir crime film directed and written by David Lynch. The film stars Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern as Sailor Ripley and Lula Pace Fortune, two young lovers who flee their hometown in Cape Fear, North Carolina after Lula's mother attempts to have Sailor killed. Along the way, they encounter a series of bizarre characters, including a gangster named Bobby Peru (Willem Dafoe) and a private investigator hired by Lula's mother (Harry Dean Stanton).
Sailor and Lula's relationship is unconventional, intense and passionate, which is highlighted in various sexual scenes throughout the movie. The couple embarks on a road trip to New Orleans, with Lula hoping to reconnect with her estranged father and Sailor hoping to start a new life. As they travel, they encounter various obstacles in the form of dangerous hitmen, surreal hallucinations and violent confrontations.
The film’s narrative is fragmented with different timelines and surrealistic elements to create Lynch’s signature eerie atmosphere. The film features an array of Lynchian motifs including blue velvet, the use of overbearing, obscure background music, and the seedy underbelly of American society.
Wild at Heart won the Palme d'Or at the 1990 Cannes Film Festival, and received critical acclaim for its masterful direction, provocative themes, visually stunning cinematography, and outstanding performances from its cast. Overall, it is a unique and unforgettable cinematic experience.