I am quite pleased to bring you guys my FIRST EVER movie review! Note: I OWN but have NOT read the book, Wild by Cheryl Strayed. It is a nonfiction novel about a woman’s personal journey / 3 month long hike on the Pacific Crest Trail.
The Rundown:
Knowing this movie & book are based on a non-fiction story is pretty crazy. It is emotional, very, very, graphic, and ultimately very empowering. Just making the decision to go on this adventure takes balls. Granted, this is prompted by her mother’s death, and the demise of her own marriage. However, Strayed, [portrayed by Reese Witherspoon] takes it in stride, and takes her power back. Basically, her goal, is to take her life back into her own hands, and out of the turmoil it was in.
I am a bit biased, because I completely ADORE Reese Witherspoon, but I think she did a truly remarkable job capturing this woman’s emotional state. She shows you all the sides of herself in this film, and Cheryl Strayed herself, I’m sure, if truly proud of the way it turned out.
Strayed didn’t come from the best family dynamic. However, she had a mother who completely adored her, and lived her life for her, and her brother. She loved them completely and gave them everything she possibly could. Watching her pass in the film was heartbreaking, and I felt so horrible for the characters. Since in this case, it is not just a character, but a real person who went through this, it is even more emotional.
The Consensus:
Ultimately, I had one problem with the movie. I do not know if it is an issue in the book as well, since I have yet to read it, but in the movie we do not get enough resolution with some of the characters. While I know from the ending that Cheryl does get married years down the line, I do not know how her relationship with her ex turned out. Was that the last she spoke to him? Was there more? I don’t know, but I wanted to. [Her ex in the movie is portrayed by Thomas Sadoski, of The Newsroom] Also, her brother. I do not know how he ends up, but he seemed a bit troubled. These are the only qualms I have with the movie.
I believe it was meant to tell the story of Cheryl’s adventure, and it succeeded. In casting, a great successs. I loved everything from the major to the minor characters! And! Bonus tidbit, the young version of Cheryl is played by non other than her daughter! So cute!
I recommend you see this movie, I am sure it is going to get quite a bit of buzz, and personally, I think it is well deserved.
I’m so glad you enjoyed, Cass! I thought the casting was great (I also ADORE Reese), the acting superb, and I think it can be inspiring to a lot of people. It just didn’t move *me* in particular. It’s a weird feeling that I’m still confused by, lol.
Thomas Sadoski of The Newsroom, though! *Swoony eyes* GAH, I miss that show already. :((((((
Jess @ Gone with the Words recently posted…Review: Montana Actually by Fiona Lowe
I have read the book and didn’t have the most positive experience doing so. I think it had to do with the narrative style, but I thought that Strayed made one poor decision after another.
The book is all retrospective, obviously, but I feel like not much time was actually devoted to her mother’s sickness and death, mostly just the aftereffect of it. It sounds like maybe the movie is slightly different there?
As far as resolution goes, I feel like the book was pretty open. It ends with hope and I think a mention of Strayed putting her life back together and finding a soulmate, but the book primarily focuses on the journey itself. I would encourage you to read the book though if you had a primarily positive experience with the film!
Also, I like Reese Witherspoon as well. If anyone can make Strayed into a more sympathetic character, I think it would be her!
Amanda @ Late Nights with Good Books recently posted…Review: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
I haven’t heard of this movie before but it does sound like something I would like. I don’t go to the movies so I’ll make a note to look for it at Redbox or on Netflix.
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I’ve decided to hold off on seeing the film until I read the novel! I’m very curious though, because I’m a fellow Reese Witherspoon fan 😉 Glad you think that she portrayed Strayed really well in the movie, and can’t wait to see it for myself!
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