What do “Wild at Heart” and “True Romance” have in common, apart from their early 1990s release dates? Well, they’re weird, they’re awfully entertaining, and then there’s Elvis.
But more to the point are two restless, individual artists trying to keep their identity even as they crave commercial viability. For David Lynch, “Wild at Heart” (1990) was his long awaited follow-up to “Blue Velvet” — and this Nicolas Cage-Laura Dern surrealistic potboiler won the top film prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
“True Romance” is one of many screenplays feverishly written by ex-video store clerk Quentin Tarantino, who sold it while he concentrated on his first film as director, “Reservoir Dogs.” His imprint on this crime caper starring Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette is unmistakable, but kudos should also go to director Tony Scott, who frankly should be considered as great an artist as older brother Ridley.
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“Wild at Heart” and “True Romance”: Double feature. 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12. $8.50-$11. Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., S.F. (415) 621-6120. www.castrotheatre.com.
