This is still my favourite amongst the few Mickey films I've seen. Film reviews ranged from the point-blank "Less than watchable" to oozing sarcasm "It inspires a guilty combination of howling amusement and rubbernecky fascination."

Well, Wild Orchid did have flaws and some lame bits but then which movie doesn't? I enjoyed this one all the same. And out of five, I'll rate it...

my ratings:

[ soundtrack info ]

Unforgettable:

Here's a Mickey scene in Wild Orchid that I'll always remember...
This is what Wheeler said to Emily...

I had a father for a while and we lived in a little room by the water. He talked a lot about not having any money. He taught me how to swim. When he disappeared ... when he disappeared, I barely spoke for years. I stayed in the third grade for a long time. You know, the teachers thought I was retarded. So they just let me put my head down on the desk. I didn't want to ask any questions because I was afraid.

I worked day and night. And when I was 16, I bought my first house on the worst block in the city. And I fixed it up. And I bought two more, and I kept it rolling. And I got everything I thought that I ever wanted, and it still wasn't enough. Then the ladies came. You know, the kind that are attracted to success. And it didn't matter to them that I stuttered and I could barely speak. You know, the more remote that I became, the more they liked it. They took it as a sign of strength. So I started playing games, you know, just to keep it interesting. And then games became a way of life -- a maze. I realize now that I couldn't get out of it even if I wanted to.

You know, I can go to any fancy restaurant that I want and I can sit at my own table, but I can't swallow my goddamn food.

I'm sorry that I disappoint you, Emily. I just don't know any other way. I'm just afraid that you're going to disappear.

(Contributed by Denise Steffanus)

"Well, welcome to the war room, sweetheart. -- Claudia to Emily --

"I'll have something for you to wear. Wear it. Fix your hair. Put on some goddamn lipstick, and remember the golden rule -- keep your eyes and ears open, and your mouth shut. That guy's a predator." -- Claudia to Emily --

"That's quite an improvement" -- Wheeler's first words to Emily --

"I'm James Wheeler. I'd prefer if you'll call me Wheeler. The only way I've ever been able to stand the name 'James' is if you put a diamond infront of it."
"I'm Emily"
"Well, I certainly hope so. I'd feel like a fool if you weren't." -- Wheeler & Emily --

"Someday, you'll tell your grandchildren how you were once in Rio, and with bodyguards... brought you to an old converted slave quarters, and how you walked across the room in another woman's dress."
"How did you know this isn't my dress?"
"Cause I bought it for Claudia." -- Wheeler & Emily --

"It must be the jet lag. My emotions keep getting away from me."
"It's not such a bad thing. We all have to lose ourselves sometimes, to find ourselves, don't you think?" -- Emily & Wheeler --

"The bikes are my pride and joy, vestiges of my lost youth." -- Wheeler to Emily --

"Look at them, Emily. Look at them. Tell me what you see."
"I see two people having sex."
"No. Making love. There's a difference." -- Wheeler & Emily --

"Why do I get the feeling that if I reach out and touch you, you'll disappear?" -- Emily to Wheeler --

"It's not you, it's me. I'm just not very good at being touched, Emily." -- Wheeler to Emily --

"How come you're always following her around? I mean, don't you have anything better to do with your time? Hey, you better stay away from that one. Otherwise, she's gonna break your heart." -- Wheeler to native boy. --