November 28, 2014 -- Since the days of Henry David Thoreau, and probably before that, there has been widespread belief that trekking through wilderness can replenish the spirit. I've always felt that, and this film, based on Cheryl Strayed's best-selling book, “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail,” reaffirms that belief.

This film is the result of two gifted writers, Strayed (played in the film by Reese Witherspoon of “Mud” and she is also a producer of this film) and Nick Horsnby of “High Fidelity.” It is an account of a troubled writer who falls apart after her father leaves and her mother (played by Laura Dern of “The Fault in Our Stars”) dies. Both Cheryl and her brother, Leif (Keene McRae) feel deep regret and loss after the death of their mother. They never appreciated her in life, but learned to appreciate her after she was gone.

Cheryl's life fell apart after her mother's death. She started using heroin. She decided to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, over 1,000 miles, from the Mexican border to Portland, Oregon in an attempt to get her life back on track. She had little experience in this kind of rugged hiking, and put too much stuff in her backpack to start with. Other hikers started calling her pack “the monster.” Her hiking boots were too small, too, causing some serious foot problems.

A kindly fellow hiker helped her weed out useless items from her pack, and told her that REI would replace the boots with a pair that fit better (nice free ad for REI) at her next stop. By that time, she had tossed the boots and was down to sandals, strapped to her feet with duct tape.

Cheryl has many adventures with wild animals, threatening hunters, kindly strangers, a young boy with a sweet singing voice and one strange, very funny exchange with a journalist for the Hobo Times, Jimmy Carter (no relation to the president, played by Mo McRae). Cheryl climbs through mountain ranges, crosses the Mojave Desert, tramps through deep snow, and gradually, is healed.

This trek is interspersed with flashbacks of the troubles in her life which led to this journey, drug use, the untimely death of her mother, her abusive father, her difficult relationship with her family members and her chaotic personal relationships with men.

Reese Witherspoon is almost unrecognizable in this role. She certainly doesn't look like the same woman who starred in “Legally Blonde.” Gone is the signature makeup and glamor. She is tall and lean and looking both worn and tough in this role as the steel-willed “queen of the PCT,” slogging ahead through terrain where other hikers give up and go home.

This is a fine performance by Witherspoon, further stretching her range as an actress. She may get some awards from this performance. This performance is equaled by Laura Dern's. The spectacular scenery along the trail also provides a chance for cinematographer Yves Bélanger (“Dallas Buyers Club”) to showcase his talents.

This is a very well directed (Jean-Marc Vallée of “Dallas Buyers Club”) written, acted and lensed film which captures wild life, soothing wilderness and a determined woman on an epic trek. This film rates a B.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in digital formats, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

Copyright © 2014 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.

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