Wisdom, released in theaters on Dec. 31, 1986, is a noteworthy, high-concept crime drama that served as the directorial and writing debut for Emilio Estevez.
The film centers on John Wisdom (Estevez), a recent high school graduate who finds his future strangled by a single, youthful felony conviction for grand theft auto. Unable to secure a legitimate job due to his record, Wisdom becomes deeply disillusioned with a society that refuses him a second chance.
Frustrated and feeling cast out, Wisdom decides to become the outlaw society expects, but with a surprising altruistic twist.
Instead of robbing banks for money, he embarks on a cross-country spree with his girlfriend, Karen Simmons (Demi Moore), targeting financial institutions only to destroy the mortgage and loan documents of struggling citizens.
His goal is not personal wealth, but to grant desperate farmers and working families a reprieve from foreclosure.
This action instantly transforms him and Karen into modern-day folk heroes, celebrated by the people they help, yet relentlessly pursued across state lines by the determined FBI.
The film is driven by the dynamic and tense performances of its young leads, Estevez and Moore, who were a real-life couple at the time.
Their relationship is the emotional anchor as the stakes escalate and the consequences of their mission become increasingly dire.
The supporting cast is robust, featuring Tom Skerritt and Veronica Cartwright as Wisdom’s bewildered parents, and William Allen Young as one of the lead federal agents on their trail.
Adding a memorable, early career footnote is Estevez’s brother, Charlie Sheen, who makes a brief but sharp cameo.
Emilio Estevez and Demi Moore in Wisdom (Photo/20th Century Fox)
Reception for Wisdom
Wisdom grossed $2 million on its opening weekend, finishing in 11th place at the box office.
The film would gross $5.7 million in its theatrical run.
Legacy
Wisdom‘s legacy is cemented by its historical significance, making Estevez the youngest person at the time to write, direct, and star in a major motion picture.
While uneven, the film remains a fascinating, earnest time capsule that channels the anti-establishment frustration of the 1980s youth into a unique, modern-day Robin Hood fable.
