Wild About Harry

By: MJ Asuncion

There are many definitions of family and love. It’s something that is constantly questioned and challenged. People should be free to express and love who they choose. Families in all forms should be accepted. It seems simple, but still the fight for equality continues to this day. 

In the film Wild About Harry, also known as American Primitive, a family’s definition of love is at the heart of the story. Set in Cape Cod in 1973, Harry Goodhart (Tate Donovan) is a widowed father of two teenage daughters, Madeline (Danielle Savre) and Daisy (Skye McCole Bartusiak), and they have just moved to the seaside town. At first introductions it is shown that Harry has started a new business, along with his partner the talented Mr. Theodore Gibbs (Adam Pascal), who will live with them until he gets settled with his own place. Both Madeline and Daisy take an immediate liking to Mr. Gibbs and are welcoming to his living there. In this small town it seems that anything that happens, including anyone new to the town is of great interest to everyone. This is also partly due to the local “matchmaker” Mrs. Brown (Anne Ramsay), who has already set up a line of female suiters for both Harry and Mr. Gibbs. 

Both Madeline and Daisy navigate their way through adolescence, school and their new life and it seems they are settling in well. That is until one day wen Madeline learns a hidden truth about her father and Mr. Gibbs – they are in a romantic relationship. Madeline makes it her mission to change her father and takes every chance to find him a new wife and to push Mr. Gibbs out of the picture of what she believes her family should look like. In Madeline’s desperate attempts the secret of her father and Mr. Gibbs is found out. With widespread homophobia, everyone is talking about the two men. Things are even further complicated by the arrival of Madeline’s maternal grandparents with “old-fashioned” views, Martha and William Cauldicott (Susan Anspach and James B. Sikking). 

Wild About Harry brings a number of strong performances with the whole town involved in the acceptance of two men being together and whether Harry is fit to raise his own daughters. Danielle Savre is standout in her portrayal of teenage Madeline who is struggling with her own personal convictions, her love of her family and the judgement of her peers. Danielle delivers a wide range of emotions, which are beautifully communicated within her facial expressions and body language. Tate Donovan and Adam Pascal equally pull at our heartstrings with their individual charm and their endearing depiction of unconditional love, understanding and family values. Other notable performances in the film include Josh Peck as Madeline’s friend and potential love interest Spoke White, Stacey Dash as a journalist and potential suitor Joy Crowley and Corey Sevier as Madeline’s other love interest Sam Brown. 

In her directorial debut Gwen Wynne helms the film, which is inspired by actual circumstances. The Huffington Post’s Tom Gregory praises the film as an indie gem and the “why” that drove early activists like Harvey Milk and the Stonewall demonstrators to demand equality. Through her production companies, Apricot Films and Cape Cod Films, Gwen Wynne inspires action and change in advocating for untold stories, new talent and marginalized narratives. 

The narrative of Wild About Harry is one that has been told in many other forms and in countless other works and it is as relevant then as it is now. The story of acceptance, that love is love and family comes in all forms, is one that needs to be shown. The film does an excellent job of weaving the awkward and funny moments with the more serious and heartbreaking scenes, by the utilization of split camera views and emblematic, expressive music. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this film and would suggest giving it a view.