“Reese Witherspoon’s stand-out performance.”
SPOILER FREE Having not seen much of Reese Witherspoon before, it was a joy to see her playing someone with such depth and who is so interesting. The film is based on the memoir: ‘Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail’ by Cheryl Strayed. Reese Witherspoon plays the role of Cheryl, on her journey of discovery and desperation, in order to confront and reflect on her demons. The film begins instantly with Cheryl pulling off one of her toenails – it’s gross, but it’s certainly a fantastic kick-starter. It certainly sets the tone of beautiful scenery but gruelling challenges that lie ahead very well.
One of the many things to commemorate was the film’s sheer hard honesty. Throughout the film, Cheryl meets all sorts of different characters – all of which you know would be the sort of people you would bump into, if you were walking alongside the Pacific Crest Trail for 1,100 miles. As the film progresses we begin to see more context to the character of Cheryl and who exactly she was before she decided to walk alone. Although, the film is often funny and enlightening as well as it is dark and difficult to take in; the film’s strong pace and character depth never lets you go. The flashbacks to Cheryl’s past play a beautiful part in the whole story, and are never irrelevant to what it’s trying to say. You soon realise that the film really is all about her self discovery. It’s of course here where the audience would be divided – I would say the film does well to make the audience care about her wellbeing, but since the film is entirely focused on her, if you don’t like it, then the film will be lost to you. I however… loved it.
What I really liked about ‘Wild’ was that I believed it. I believed what was going on with Cheryl and it all made me feel emotionally invested in her story. Throughout all the things that you witness in her past and all the heartbreaking pieces that push together, you really believe that she’s a good person trying to do the right thing. She is by no means the ‘good guy’ all the way through, but that doesn’t mean that you are not constantly on her side – because you are. The film is excellently written and the pacing is as strong as Reece Witherspoon’s brilliant performance. The film is heartbreaking, funny smart and all-round very enjoyable. It’s quite an occasion to find a film that has all of these things complimenting each other so beautifully.
★★★★
Hudson-Cook 