DVD Review: Wild Tigers I Have Known

By Jeff Swindoll Jul 19, 2007, 13:11 GMT

Logan is a soft spoken and lonely 13 year old boy with a crush. Unlike his equally lonely friend Joey, who obsesses over the sexual exploits of the popular boys, Logan is fixated on the boys themselves, particularly Rodeo Walker. Logan\'s infatuation with Rodeo inspires him to create a new persona named Leah. Leah and Rodeo grow close through whispered late night phone calls, and when Leah agrees to meet ...more

A coming of age tale of a young boy who finds himself attracted to the same sex is told in an unconventional way and produced by Gus Van Sant. 

What the back of the box says:
“Logan is a soft-spoken and lonely 13-year-old boy with an impossible crush. Unlike his equally lonely friend Joey, who obsessed over the social lives of the popular boys, Logan is fixated on the boys themselves, particularly Rodeo Walker - the only member of the in-crowd to show Logan any kindness.

As they strike up a mismatched friendship, Logan's infatuation with Rodeo pushes him to desperate lengths in hopes of becoming closer. When Rodeo agrees to meet face-to-face it is Logan who must finally prove that he can ask for what he so desperately wants.”

I guess your appreciation for this film is going to hinge on your tolerance of same sex relationships as well as unconventional filmmaking.  The film is unconventional in that it goes long stretches with out dialogue and some dream sequences (also mostly without dialogue).  Logan (Malcolm Stumpf) starts the movie in his bed polishing the knob, chocking the chicken, or masturbating (whichever terminology you prefer).  We later find out that Logan has a pretty bipolar home life with his mother (Fairuza Balk) moving between the poles of being kind to him and putting him down. 

As we’re shown in the opening scenes, Logan is beginnings to feel the stirrings of sexuality.  The problem is twofold – he’s a bit of an outcast and his attraction is to other boys.  His attractions are only more apt to make him more of an outcast on campus than make him “cool.”  He finds himself attracted to the older Romeo (Patrick White) who is more of a bad boy and we have the feeling that Logan will only find disappointment in those attractions.  The film is told in an unconventional style that leads to long portions without dialogue. 

There are even some strange dream sequences as well as some odd set pieces where Logan calls Romeo and pretends to be a girl.  Not to mention that a mountain lion is loose and roaming the school’s campus.  All that being said, I’m unsure what I think about the film. 

The same sex attraction didn’t bother me as much as the aspect of the younger Logan somewhat stalking the older Romeo.  I suppose the unconventional atmosphere will appeal to some but it does lead to long stretches were some viewers will be wondering what is going on. 

Wild Tigers I Have Know is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.78:1) and enhanced for 16x9 televisions.  Special features include the film’s theatrical trailer and Emily White’s music video for “Wild Tigers I Have Known.” 

The film will have its audience but I’m not sure that I’m it.  It was not a bad one but the subject matters and the unconventional visual storytelling may put some of the audience off.  That being said it is a well-made film and the performance by Malcolm Stumpf is rather good.  I’d recommend it, but you’ll need to decide if you’re up to the subject matter.

Wild Tigers I Have Known is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.