Wild (2014)
The director of Dallas Buyers Club helms this true-story, self-discovery drama starring Reese Witherspoon (in an Oscar-nominated performance). Witherspoon plays Cheryl Strayed, who took it upon herself to hike solo across 1,800kms of America. Based on Strayed’s bestselling memoir, adapted for the screen by Nick Hornby (the novel High Fidelity and the screenplay for An Education).
Opening with Strayed mid-way through her on-foot odyssey along the Pacific Crest Trail, Wild detours back in time to depict the significant events of her life, mirroring the difficulties of Strayed's endeavour. From the void left by the death of her mother (fellow Oscar nom Laura Dern) to the excessive drug use and promiscuity she tries to fill it with, Wild delves deeper into Strayed's tumultuous life the further she proceeds on her self-appointed quest.
- Director:
- Jean-Marc Vallée ('Dallas Buyers Club', 'Cafe de Flore', 'C.R.A.Z.Y.')
- Writer:
- Nick Hornby
- Cast:
- Reese WitherspoonGaby HoffmannLaura DernMichiel HuismanCharles BakerKevin Rankin
Reviews & comments
Variety
pressWill surely be praised in the coming months for having a strong, well-written, flesh-and-blood female at its center...
Total Film
pressDriven by a committed turn from Witherspoon, Jean-Marc Vallée confirms himself as the go-to director for triumph-over-adversity character studies.
The New York Times
pressWhat makes its heroine worth caring about - what makes her a rare and exciting presence in present-day American film - is not that she's tidy or sensible or even especially nice. It's that she's free.
The Guardian
pressA two-hour hallucinatory montage of the hike and Cheryl's back story that's wound together with the songs, phrases and poetry that she recited to herself as she walked.
Hollywood Reporter
pressVallee’s latest offering is alternately harrowing and heartbreaking, but laced with saving bursts of humor.
Empire Magazine
pressA quietly moving coming of age story that resists formula or easy redemption, driven by a strong, unvarnished performance from Witherspoon...
"If your Nerve, deny you - Go above your Nerve" is the first of many literary quotes Cheryl Strayed used during her journey. It best suits her free-spirited willpower to overcome the hardships in her life and the physical task of this long hike, for which she is totally unprepared and completely clumsy at first. She does however become more seasoned and...
Great to see a high-profile actress like Reese Witherspoon shed the glamour and play a character who takes on the great outdoors. Loved her performance, as well as the wonderful Laura Dern, who has little screen-time but makes the most of it I can fully relate to the pain and grief that Cheryl Strayed suffered, and how an isolated landscape can help a...
Bereavement is a very personal journey of sadness, and Cheryl Strayed's determination to cope with despair by hiking through this stunning American wilderness was both emotional and inspirational. Strong portrayal by Reese Witherspoon, also bringing touches of subtle humour to this story of self-discovery and healing. Loved this film !.
This is the personal true story of Cheryl Strayed. She walked 1100 miles across the American Pacific Crest Trail. The movie shows her starting the first mile when she has had no experience.Slowly she learns what is required to travel on her own for the 3 months. We also learn of her younger life during the journey.When viewing the credits there are some...
Great performance by Reese in this film. She goes on a journey of self discovery. We have flashblacks to when she was young remembering her mother. Who has since died. Reese shows of all facets of acting here, vuneribility, and emotional depth to her character. You really feel for her and understand where she is coming from. This is a great performance and...
You know you've watched a great movie when you're still thinking about it days later. Great moments, emotional yet funny and told the story very well. Would definitely see it again
Wild Imagine ‘Open Water’ or ‘127 Hours' but across land and with a few people, kind of ‘Forrest Gump’ in ways. Very similar to ‘Tracks’ much like every year some films come out if paris or very close together, this is no exception. Based on a true story book and gives a good account of her life leading up to this pinnacle life changing event. Not really my...
Variety
pressWill surely be praised in the coming months for having a strong, well-written, flesh-and-blood female at its center...
Total Film
pressDriven by a committed turn from Witherspoon, Jean-Marc Vallée confirms himself as the go-to director for triumph-over-adversity character studies.
The New York Times
pressWhat makes its heroine worth caring about - what makes her a rare and exciting presence in present-day American film - is not that she's tidy or sensible or even especially nice. It's that she's free.
The Guardian
pressA two-hour hallucinatory montage of the hike and Cheryl's back story that's wound together with the songs, phrases and poetry that she recited to herself as she walked.
Hollywood Reporter
pressVallee’s latest offering is alternately harrowing and heartbreaking, but laced with saving bursts of humor.
Empire Magazine
pressA quietly moving coming of age story that resists formula or easy redemption, driven by a strong, unvarnished performance from Witherspoon...
"If your Nerve, deny you - Go above your Nerve" is the first of many literary quotes Cheryl Strayed used during her journey. It best suits her free-spirited willpower to overcome the hardships in her life and the physical task of this long hike, for which she is totally unprepared and completely clumsy at first. She does however become more seasoned and...
Great to see a high-profile actress like Reese Witherspoon shed the glamour and play a character who takes on the great outdoors. Loved her performance, as well as the wonderful Laura Dern, who has little screen-time but makes the most of it I can fully relate to the pain and grief that Cheryl Strayed suffered, and how an isolated landscape can help a...
Bereavement is a very personal journey of sadness, and Cheryl Strayed's determination to cope with despair by hiking through this stunning American wilderness was both emotional and inspirational. Strong portrayal by Reese Witherspoon, also bringing touches of subtle humour to this story of self-discovery and healing. Loved this film !.
This is the personal true story of Cheryl Strayed. She walked 1100 miles across the American Pacific Crest Trail. The movie shows her starting the first mile when she has had no experience.Slowly she learns what is required to travel on her own for the 3 months. We also learn of her younger life during the journey.When viewing the credits there are some...
Great performance by Reese in this film. She goes on a journey of self discovery. We have flashblacks to when she was young remembering her mother. Who has since died. Reese shows of all facets of acting here, vuneribility, and emotional depth to her character. You really feel for her and understand where she is coming from. This is a great performance...
You know you've watched a great movie when you're still thinking about it days later. Great moments, emotional yet funny and told the story very well. Would definitely see it again
Wild Imagine ‘Open Water’ or ‘127 Hours' but across land and with a few people, kind of ‘Forrest Gump’ in ways. Very similar to ‘Tracks’ much like every year some films come out if paris or very close together, this is no exception. Based on a true story book and gives a good account of her life leading up to this pinnacle life changing event. Not really...
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