MOVIE REVIEW - Wild

In very limited release, here comes Reece Witherspoon in the new, Wild.

Wild is based on a really popular book written by Cheryl Strayed of the same name.  It tells her account of her incredible journey through her young life, complete with all the ugliness there is. This book was really decorated, and the story is very good.

Strayed was a young woman in the early 1990's who was dealing, or not dealing, with the death of her mother at 45.  She was also dealing with a tough childhood, and consequently a really tough start to adulthood.  Strayed lost her way horribly, by doing heavy drugs, and basically becoming a prostitute for drugs.  In short, she sets out on a very long list of exceedingly self-destructive behaviors.  So after she messes up her marriage with drugs, and countless infidelity, she decides to go on a life changing trip.

Strayed decides to walk 1,000 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail.  It is from the Mexican border, to the Canadian border through the desert, mountains, and very tough terrain. She has zero experience in hiking or camping. and she decides to do it alone, to try to find herself and start over.  Who knows what she will find and discover?

Strayed is played expertly by the wonderful Oscar winner, Reece Witherspoon.  This is a one person movie for the most part, and she is terrific in this very challenging role.  It is a huge part, filmed wonderfully in a series of beautiful backdrops.  For many, this will simply not be exciting enough to be entertaining.   For those who read the book though, this is a dream come true.  This has the feel of Eat, Pray, Love and even The Way from a couple of years ago.  The Way especially - which was a very good movie.

It certainly is an interesting story, and Strayed really did a miraculous feat. But for some this could have the feel of a self serving pat-on-the-back, as at times it fails to be really moving outside of itself.  This is told in flashback form for much of it, as it shows Strayed as a child, a teen, and a troubled young adult, struggling to find her way.

Witherspoon does a lot with this role, and is really great bringing her to life, and a various stages of it.  In short, it is a brave performance in every regard, as she is asked to do much that is physically challenging, and some unfortfortable on camera.  She should be talked about at awards show season time.

Wild.  This is a acquired taste, and some will love, and the rest won't bother going.  Overall, this is quite good.