(If you don't know anything about Cheryl Strayed, this article contains spoilers)
There is never shortage of films based on true events or true stories. In fact, the award season is full of them as directors take real life phenomenon’s, locked in bones and flesh, and let them dazzle on screen. Over the past couple of months, even last year, cinemas were screening this great stories: The Imitation Game told us the work and abuse that genius Alan Turing suffered; The Theory of Everything recanted Stephen Hawking’s breath-taking story; Selma marched to the beat of Martin Luther King’s Civil Right Movement. And these are just a handful of films. One such film is Wild, set to be Reese Witherspoon’s career triumph.
Cheryl, in an effort to find self-discovery and to deal with her grief, suddenly decides to hike the PCT – alone. Cheryl also had NO previous hiking experience, whatsoever. So, at the age of 26, she set out alone on the Trail. The story tells of her 1,100-mile trek, intertwined with flash backs as to what lead to this hike and what Cheryl had to deal with, both in her past and whilst on this journey.
The PCT is one of the most hiking famous trails in North America and considered one of the toughest. There were numerous things that Cheryl was unprepared for, having nothing more than a guidebook and people along the way to assist her. The PCT is the westernmost (and second longest) part of the Triple Crown of Hiking and is a part of the Great Western Loop. The elevation reaches up to 13,153 feet, and passes through 25 national forests and seven national parks.
Credit must be given to Nick Hornby, who has created a brilliant and captivating script. Both Nick and Jean-Marc have realized that even the smallest details interlaced through a range of emotions work. We are treated, for once, to a real, yet simple, script that is naturally delivered by the cast. The audience is truly in for it because literally nothing is held back. Right from the opening scene, where Cheryl is pulling out her injured toenails, it’s realized nothing is impossible in this film. We see everything from full nudity and rough sex, to drug use, to even defecation. It's unafraid and unashamed whilst being completely refreshing. And at the centre is female protagonist, who is neither perfect, nor a victim - a strong female character we've needed for a while. Along with brilliant cinematography, a lack of a musical score (funnily enough, it works), creative story telling, and vivid transitions, there is more than enough reasons to see the film.
Reese has admitted she originally had difficulty with bringing several aspects of the novel to the screen, such as the nudity and graphic sex. Even if there were feelings of difficulty or awkwardness, it most certainly doesn’t show. It’s easily forgotten that this is the same woman who played a Harvard Law graduate in one film and who won an Oscar for her portrayal of June Carter Cash, Johnny Cash’s wife. Reese’s portrayal was well worth the Golden Globe nomination. She has truly proven that she is unstoppable.
It would be a mistake not to mention Laura Dern’s portrayal of Bobbi, Cheryl’s loving and adoring mother. Bobbi is also a survivor, having been abused by her husband. Her performance is absolutely outstanding, so vivid. Unfortunately, while Laura is brilliant, she isn’t given much of a chance to develop her role before Bobbi suddenly dies. Together, Reese and Laura make the bond between loving mother and rough around the edges daughter felt. The film also stars Gaby Hoffman, Thomas Sadoski, and Kevin Rankin.
One would believe that there would be no happy ending, and she’d come back from her hike and that would be it. However, there is a fairy tale ending. Several years later, Cheryl would marry a filmmaker and have two children. Cheryl’s daughter, Bobbi, is also in the film, playing a younger version of Cheryl.
What Do You Think?
Read our review of Strayed's memoir
Or read our review of Dallas Buyer's Club
Congratulations for those nominated Oscars for Wild
Wild is out in cinemas Friday the 16th