I’m not really a Reese Witherspoon fan, but if she keeps making movies like “Wild,” I might become one. For me, this is her best performance since 1999’s “Election,” and it’s the first film since then where I felt like she’s not holding back or guarding something about herself. Only time will tell if this is a sincere sea-change or if she’s just being forced to grow deeper since everyone from Jennifer Aniston (Cake) to Matthew McConaughey to Sandra Bullock is getting out of the rom-com game, but those calling this a Reese-naissance are right.
What Works: Wild follows the true story of Cheryl Strayed, a woman who hiked the grueling Pacific Crest Trail following the death of her mother that caused her to spiral into heroin addiction and serially cheating on her husband. She literally changed her last name to Strayed because of the cheating…a move that is both punishing for her actions but strangely flippant about them, which will soon turn into a pattern. It’s hard to call Cheryl all that “likable” but she is a real person, something that is clearly very freeing for Reese. Hers is less a journey towards redemption than towards understanding, and it’s surprising how much we’re rooting for what is—essentially—a very internal struggle that could have been hard to relate to if the movie were less skilled.
The direction is excellent, with McConaughey’s old Dallas Buyer’s Club director Jean-Marc Vallee keeping the story moving while peppering in illuminating quick cuts, and we never forget exactly how dangerous a trek this is for Cheryl, especially when Breaking Bad’s Skinny Pete (of all people) pops by as a…not exactly “non-creepy” hunter. The supporting cast is equally strong with Laura Dern as Cheryl’s sunny (but never naive) mother and everyone from Gabby Hoffman to Thomas Sadoski offering up support to Cheryl as her best friend and ex-husband, respectively.
What Doesn’t: I’m not much of a hiking-type person, and I’ve never really understood why hikers think it’s actually interesting to hear about. [No surprise, Cheryl’s from Minnesota, where hiking and tattoos qualify someone as interesting.] So, for me, the internal journey is arguably more involving than the actual hike, even if it does have great cinematography.
What I Would Have Done Differently: This is perhaps the best possible presentation of this material you could have, so I’m not sure what I could really do better. If someone doesn’t like this movie, it’s likely that the core story itself doesn’t appeal to them.
I will go see this movie. Great review!
Wow. Okay maybe I will see the movie. Keep up the good work.