Wes's Grade: B+
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| Reese Witherspoon |
Yep, this is the movie that has Reese Witherspoon traipsing across the mountains in search of another Oscar. Well, that's maybe a bit of an oversimplification, but the new drama "Wild" is a resonating true story of a woman who took to nature to help her let go and move on. On paper, it looks like one of those inspiring movie-of-the-week type stories, but it's much deeper than that. Superbly acted and superbly engrossing, "Wild" is a trail of change for those who need it: dark, folksy and deeply satisfying. With the dissolution of her marriage and the death of her mother (Laura Dern), Cheryl Strayed (Witherspoon, all de-glammed here) has lost all hope. After years of reckless, self-destructive behavior, she makes a rash decision. With absolutely no experience, driven only by sheer determination, Cheryl hikes more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, alone as one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddens, strengthens, and ultimately heals her. Directed by Jean-Marc Vallee ("The Dallas Buyers Club") and based on Cheryl Strayed's memoir and account "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Coast Trail," "Wild" is a darkly-shaded but moving portrait of healing and change, with Witherspoon's sublime, much-talked about performance taking center stage. Vallee, who guided McConaughey to his transformative Oscar-turn last year in "DBC," could do the same this year for Witherspoon, and though it's not as physically transformative (except for a couple of topless scenes, for those that care about such things), it's certainly as gritty and psychologically challenging in a role that's very much against type for the usually upbeat actress. And much like "DBC," "Wild" is buoyed by a strong supporting turn, from previous Oscar-nominee Dern in an illuminating turn as Strayed's hippie-chick Mom who impacted her life and ultimately shaped her womanhood. Both Witherspoon and especially the lovely Dern (seen in flashbacks) are captivating, and it would be unsurprising to see both collect some accolades along this year's award season trail. Nick Hornby's ("About a Boy") script, as with many of these true stories, alters some major details of Strayed's story (some significant folks are missing) and inserts a few too many folksy Simon and Garfunkel tunes, but ultimately those are minor points from this satisfying, lovingly photographed journey along the trail. The poignant, very absorbing "Wild" fully realizes the old saying that a rough and rocky road often lead to a beautiful place. I just like my beautiful place to include an LaQuinta Inn and a toilet, thank you. Well worth it and expect to see a lot of Witherspoon and Dern this awards season.
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