Mt Whitney Zone Forums The Chat Room Cheryl Strayed movie: Wild

Well, I finally got to see the movie, although I had to drive about 25 miles. It was good, and would see it again if it was showing in a theatre closer to me.

As to my take on the movie, well I had to keep telling myself that the movie is not about the PCT or JMT. It's not about the scenery, either. AND, it's not about the equipment (the movie was set in 1995.

In addition to the above, Cheryl was completely ignorant of what she was doing and equipment she took. Once you realize that she had no idea on what she was doing, things fell into place.

I remember one scene as she was in Kennedy Meadows and another hiker told her to skip sections of the Sierras due to heavy snow, and to exit at Trail Pass. I think she bypasses significant distances to avoid the snow. Not sure how much.

But again, the movie is about Cheryl's demons as told through flashbacks as she encounter challenges along the way.

Again, I liked the movie and what is not to like about Reese Witherspoon.

paul

I also got to see it last weekend. It was more about Cheryl's need to check-out from her messy past than the hike. But I enjoyed the hiking scenes anyway.

My wife's take: One of the most depressing movies she has watched. Unfortunately some of it hit too close to her history.

Edit: Here is a good review written by "PCT Trailside Reader":
      A Walk on the Wild Side

Just read the article that Steve posted a link to......a very well thought out response to the movie. I must admit, the writer was much more insightful than I ever could.

thanks for posting the link Steve.

paul

Ooh. Ooh. I'll take "What's Not to Like About Reese Witherspoon" for a thousand, Alex. There was exactly one scene in which she conveyed the least sense of a woman who needed to walk a thousand miles to exorcise her demons - the scene with her shrink - and that she only accomplished by wearing leather and chewing gum. By then it was way too late. The rest of the time she looked like an LL Bean model who maybe broke a nail once, and of course missed her golden retriever terribly. When Strayed arrived at the motel in Mojave I have no doubt she looked like she was going to meet a trick for a quickie. Witherspoon looked like she was going to meet either her girl scout troop for campfire rehearsal or her agent to discuss whether the "Wild" script would make her look less blonde.

Just read your comment......off to the dentist office, but I'll chuckle a little as I remember your comments while in the chair.

paul

I always thought of that with and without! Now you proved it

 
        Reese Witherspork

hiking gone mainstream - she made the cover of "Costco Connection" magazine LOL

http://www.costcoconnection.com/connection/201503#pg1

I liked this movie. I thought Reese Witherspoon did a great job.