Here’s a winner – Wild, starring Reese
Witherspoon. She is very deserving of an Oscar nomination. I was a huge fan
of Cheryl Strayed’s memoir Wild. The movie is worthy of the
book thanks to the Nick Hornsby screenplay and Reese’s acting. Cheryl is a mess
– her beloved mother (played in flashback by a radiant Laura Dern) died, she cheated numerous times on her husband, and is
now divorced. Alcohol, drugs – she has sunk to the depths. Now what?
On a bit of a whim, she decides she’s going to walk the
Pacific trail – from the far south desert near Mexico to Oregon. Just in Day 1,
mile 5 her feet hurt, she’s almost dehydrated, and her boots are too small.
Each day proves a challenge, but she perseveres. As she runs across a fox or a
deer, she feels the spirit of her mother urging her on. Her journal features “I
quit” almost every day, but she trudges on. Chance encounters with other hikers
buoy her spirits. She learns about herself, her ability to survive, and
appreciates nature.
The movie is glorious, the scenery spectacular, and the
journey of Cheryl Strayed digs deep into the human soul. Reese Witherspoon has
always been a smart, spunky actress and this role is perfect for her. She grows
in confidence, and you root for her to turn the corner, to know that she’s
going to be okay at the end of the trail and beyond. Put on your hiking boots
and get to the big screen. Life can be Wild.
What a terrific review! Now I want to see that movie... Really. It sounds terrific.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Joanne. It was terrific getting to know you a little better in 2014.
and 2015 shall be even more fun
DeleteFrom what I have seen and heard from interviews with Reese Witherspoon and others, this is a movie that has AWARDS written all over it. Now with your excellent REVIEW, I know it is one I will see...maybe even on the big screen. Thanks as always for your view.
ReplyDeleteSue at CollectInTexas Gal
I'd hand Reese the Oscar now. This is worthy of seeing now - treat yourself to some popcorn, or go for dinner afterward. You'll have worked up a hunger from all that hiking.
DeleteSounds like a fun acting job. (I've been taking an acting course, so I look at thing through that prism now ;))
ReplyDeleteReese can act with her eyes or the clench of a jaw. Go, watch, and learn (and enjoy the flick)
DeleteThis sounds really great! Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, Joanne. I agree - Reese's performance was Oscar worthy. I don't remember if we were connected yet, so I'm not sure if you know/remember that I met and became friendly with Cheryl Strayed at a writer's retreat last summer. She's an amazing, and amazingly humble, woman. Her real life daughter played a young Cheryl in the movie. It was her first acting debut. She was awesome, right? I could ramble on. I was very excited to see it, and only slightly disappointed that a few scenes from the book were left out of the movie...Anyway, thanks for spotlighting this one. Have a great 2015.
ReplyDeleteyes, I did read about your meeting ( I love brush with fame moments) and it sounded really cool.
DeleteRobyn sparked my interest with the movie when she wrote about the retreat, and now I want to see it more than ever after reading this! Maybe this will be a good movie to take my mom to for a good cry! I'll see if she can squeeze me in her busy schedule. Excellent review, Joanne!
ReplyDeleteJulie