Reese Witherspoon Finds Herself on the PCT in "Wild"

It's been somewhat of a rocky road for Reese Witherspoon ever since she won her Oscar for 2005's "Walk the Line". Though she's found box office success with films like "Four Christmases", she hasn't done anything that's lived up to the immense promise she showed in films like "Election" and "Legally Blonde". Not to mention that whole D.U.I. fiasco.

But if there's anything fallen actors/actresses have taught us in recent years, it's that comebacks are possible. Witherspoon smartly moved away from center stage and took supporting roles in the critically adored "Mud" and this year's much discussed "Inherent Vice", and worked behind the scenes as a producer to get "Gone Girl" made. All of this, led to the inception of Witherspoon's own personal project: the big screen adaptation of Cheryl Strayed's memoir "Wild", the story of Strayed's 1,100-mile journey on the Pacific Coast Trail.

Strayed made the decision to walk the PCT after the death of her beloved mother, Bobbi (played by Laura Dern in the film), and years of self-destructive behavior including drug use and anonymous sex all of which led to the dissolution of her marriage. Despite having no outdoor experience, she decided the journey would help her distance herself away from the woman she had become, and bring her closer to the woman her mother raised her to be.

So off goes Cheryl, complete with her massive traveling back and cute little boots, completely unaware of the trials that face her. But the wilderness, in all of its dangerous, uncompromising beauty, is nothing compared to the painful memories that plague Cheryl's mind. In some ways, you feel she's doing this as way of putting some milage between present day Cheryl and the Cheryl from the past. But if anything else, the wilderness has brought those painful memories that much closer, because there's nowhere to hide, and nothing to distract her from what she's done, and what has brought her to this point.

The narrative shifts between present day and the past, only slightly revealing all of the deep, dark secrets. We are told in fragments, never in full, the severity of her actions, and that's okay, because to tell us everything would be taking away from the point of the film. This is less of a biopic, and more of a story about a woman finding herself, and atoning to the things she's done to herself. It's not a glamorous part by any means; to say Cheryl is rough around the edges would be putting it as simply as possible. It's not until the final moment that she truly realizes what she's done, both in her past and her present.

Witherspoon's own sunny disposition has benefited her greatly in playing characters like Elle Woods, Tracy Flick and even June Carter-Cash, who up until this point was the darkest character Witherspoon had portrayed. In "Walk the Line", much of Witherspoon's characterization of Carter-Cash was that despite some complex feelings towards the situation, she was the sun in Johnny Cash's very dark life. Here, she sheds that completely, relishing in the opportunity to inhabit a character that's much darker, and twisted than what we knew she was capable in playing. Star turns such as this are so often consumed by the actor's own star power, and here, Witherspoon transforms herself completely without having to much at all; it's really nuanced, refreshing acting.

Laura Dern, who appears in flashbacks as Strayed's late mother, is also quite good, reminding us that she is an undervalued talent in Hollywood. Though she's only a few years older than Witherspoon, the two create a very believable mother/daughter dynamic that really makes you feel why this woman was such a huge part of Strayed's life. Losing her would have destroyed anyone.

Vallée's direction here feels much more assured than it did in "Dallas Buyer's Club", and though very understated. He's a great storyteller when it comes to unlikable characters seeking redemption or penance for their actions. It's really a great partnership between him and Witherspoon, who both bring their A-game in bringing Strayed's memoir to life. Screenwriter Nick Hornby manages to write a screenplay in which so much is conveyed through a simple premise, sometimes silent scenes where nothing, and everything, is happening at once.

But above all, the film is gorgeously photographed; there's some ace work here from cinematographer  Yves Bélanger, which is absolutely essential to the narrative. Several moments stick out clearest to me, but there's something beautiful in every frame, whether it's Witherspoon's face or a shot of the forest or the sky.

It would be easy to tack "Wild" down to a "star vehicle", or a tale of redemption. And while it is both of those things, it is just as much about a woman finding herself as it is about an actress relishing in a new opportunity, and discovering what she is truly capable of. It's not an easy journey, nor is it always as pretty to look at. But for all of its inherent raw emotions, "Wild" is a rewarding experience.

Grade: A-

Oscar Chances: Witherspoon is surprisingly not as huge of a lock as she deserves to be (only receiving nominations from SAG and the Globes, no critic's prizes/nominations), but I doubt that will stop her from receiving what would make a worthy second nomination. If Julianne Moore wasn't the sure thing she was this year, I think it would be hers to lose. Laura Dern's performance, though wonderful, may not have the heft to knock out sure things like Meryl Streep or Keira Knightley. It's possible the screenplay can find some love, and god please someone recognize the cinematography.