WILD

So what’s it about?

Cheryl (Reese Witherspoon) embarks on a 1,100 mile hike up the west of America in a battle against her demons. After divorcing her husband, the death of her mother and years of reckless behaviour she challenges herself to walk from Mexico to Canada.

In other words…

A lot of physical and mental pain.

Wait, wasn't this a book?

Yes, it’s based on Cheryl Strayed’s novel Wild: From lost to found on the Pacific Crest Trail. Nick Hornby adapted the screenplay and like Cheryl does with the unnecessary pages in her books, he shreds the parts that aren't needed. While the book tends to wallow in self pity, Hornby presents a tougher version of the main character.

The main men and leading ladies…

Reese Witherspoon (obviously) steals the show in this solo journey of human endurance. She’s nominated for Best Actress at the Academy Awards for what is arguably her best performance since Election. She was nominated for the same award at the Golden Globes but didn't win.

In the chair…

Jean-Marc Vallee is best known for last year’s Dallas Buyer’s Club and he kept the same editor and cinematographer he worked with on the award winning 2014 hit. 

So…?

This is a journey in ever sense of the word but while it’s beautiful and inspiring it’s all a bit clichéd. Ok we get it, life sucks, go on a profound trip, rise to the challenges and come out the other end a better person. Throw in a series of flashbacks and some emotional monologues and you have the crutch of this movie. Or any travelling-to-find-yourself movie for that matter. Nothing makes this stand out from the rest. There’s no real climax and the end is forgettable because the drama isn't what happens to her, it's what happens inside her. There was also too much emphasis on feminism that instead of making her seem stronger it did the opposite and undermined her. In saying that, though, it is exciting, tense, well acted and actually a very uplifting journey.

Worth the money?

Check it out when it comes on TV. While Hornby does his best to deter it away from the cheesy emotional tone it's still quite Oscar baity.