Wild

IMDB Rating: 7.3
Released – 2014
Director – Jean-Marc Vallee
Length – 1hr 55m
Top Cast – Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern & Gaby Hoffmann

Unlike the second half of this double bill that will follow shortly, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this film.  I saw a similiar film last year, Tracks, so I was a bit unsure about this but I’m glad I did decide to see it.

It was nicely done with the film revealing more about Cheryl’s past that had set her on this path, to hike the Pacific Coast Trail, with flashbacks and memory prompted scenes while she was on the actual hike itself.

The relationship between Cheryl and her mother, Bobbi, was nice and obviously sad at how it ended.  There were a number of childhood scenes that were difficult to watch, for how sweet they were and how dramatic others were, but the relationship was acted wonderfully.

I know you…
I recognised Laura Dern’s face but I didn’t know her name, besides having some connection to Bruce Dern from Nebraska I assume, but after checking on IMDB just now it’s a nice surprise to see that she was Ellie from Jurassic Park.

Reese Witherspoon will always be the nice one in Cruel Intentions to me.  I’ve not seen that film in years.

Lowlight
I had to look away during the opening scene of the film, the first time in a while I’ve being grossed out and looked away during a film, where Cheryl removes her boot and sock to then inspect a bloody big toe.  It looked like she was getting ready to remove or pull back the nail just as I decided to look away.  When I braved the screen again she was screaming at her boot that had rolled down the hill.  Urghhhhhhhhhhh.

7/10