Wisdom

After writing the screenplay for 1985's That Was Then This Is Now, Emilio Estevez must have liked how it felt on the other side of the camera. His next effort he not only wrote, but made his directorial debut. The film was 1986's Wisdom.

Estevez stars as John Wisdom. Wisdom is a young man who made a dumb mistake on the night of his high school graduation that lands him behind bars and with a criminal record. A few years have passed, and even with a college degree, John has a hard time landing a job because of his felony. After seeing a report on the news about farmers and the working class losing their homes to the banks, John decides to become a modern day Robin Hood. Aided by his girlfriend Karen, fellow brat packer and, at the time, real life fiancee Demi Moore, John goes to the banks and holds them up. Not for their money, but to destroy the records of the families that are about to be foreclosed on. He becomes a folk hero, and a public enemy in the process.

Estevez must have really enjoyed directing, because he is found mostly behind the camera nowadays. Wisdom is for the most part, a pretty impressive debut, and Estevez has definately become a stronger filmmaker with every project that followed. He was the youngest person ever to write, direct, and star in a feature film when he made this.

Estevez is also pretty good in the lead. Moore is ok, but her character is a little underwritten. An interesting sidenote, Dennis Hopper was originally considered for the role of Estevez's dad. Tom Skerritt ended up with the part.

Danny Elfman did an amazing score for the film, and his band, Oingo Boingo, did the song for the ending credits.

This isn't a perfect film however. The ending is a total cop out. I don't think Estevez knew how to wrap it up.

Estevez later stated that this was a total vanity project. But at least this was the beginning of a very budding filmmaking career.

It's available on dvd via Warner Archive.