It’s been awhile since I’ve seen a Reese Witherspoon led movie. She’s been consistently acting, but in smaller parts for the last few years. Wild is a great reminder of what a fantastic actor she is.

After the death of her mother, Cheryl Strayed lost her way. After years of reckless choices catch up to her, she looks to nature to find herself. In the summer of 1995, she starts her on foot journey up the Pacific Crest Trail. For three months, she travels 1,100 up California, Oregon and Washington into Canada. Along the way she finds the person her mother always thought she was.

I liked Wild a lot more than I thought I would. A big part of how enjoyable this movie is is in the filmakers pacing and editing choices. It starts with Cheryl at the very beginning of her hike, struggling with the monstrous hiking pack she has. Her back story of her mother, her childhood and her failed marriage are perfectly spread without. It’s all given the right amount of time and context for the viewer to understand who Cheryl was, is and why she decided she had to hike an incredible distance.

On her journey, Cheryl is forced to be by herself. She can’t turn to any distractions or substance to run and hide from what has made her so unhappy. She has to learn and move forward, taking the time to understand why she’s done the things she’s done in her young life. Wild is the story of a person’s growth, a great introspective look on the human condition: what makes us tick, what makes us self destruct, and what makes us persist.

Along with the aforementioned terrific pacing and editing, is the sheer beauty of the Pacific Crest Trail. Some of the most beautiful untouched scenery the United States has to offer. Landscapes of all sorts, nature’s invitation to explore and conquer. Perfectly shot and presented.

Wild is the total package, I highly recommend it.