poliphilo: (Default)
poliphilo ([personal profile] poliphilo) wrote2015-01-23 10:06 am

Wild

Hollywood is all about people making journeys- only this time it's a real honest to God journey, made on foot. and- which freshens things up considerably- it's a woman who's making it.

Cheryl Strayed's mother dies and Cheryl goes to pieces with the scuzzy men and the drugs. She picks up a book- not that book- but a guide to The Pacific Crest Trail and from then on it's The Pilgrim's Progress. In the past you aimed for a shrine; these days, it's the journey itself that matters. Things happen- encounters- most of which- if your'e a single woman in the wilderness- wear a menacing aspect. Cheryl cheats on the task by dodging some snow and extends her journey to make up for it and the new end point is a place called Bridge of the Gods- and it's just a bridge over a river and the name is a happy accident- only once you're in the pilgrimage frame of mind nothing  is an accident any more.

Reece Witherspoon is hardly ever off screen and gives a hell of a performance. Gawky Laura Dern is wonderful as the mother we might all have wished to have. Mostly I sit back and watch films from a distance, admiring the parade as it passes by, but this one really drew me in.

[identity profile] idahoswede.livejournal.com 2015-01-23 11:20 am (UTC)(link)
Sounds excellent, thanks for the recommendation.

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2015-01-23 12:25 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm sure you'd enjoy it.

[identity profile] stevegreen.livejournal.com 2015-01-23 12:53 pm (UTC)(link)
I'd already heard good things, was unable to make the previews but will certainly be catching it early next week.

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2015-01-23 03:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Excellent.

[identity profile] ingenious76.livejournal.com 2015-01-23 01:32 pm (UTC)(link)
It's great, isn't it? I loved it.

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2015-01-23 04:02 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm happy that Witherspoon and Dern have both been nominated for Oscars.

[identity profile] wyrmwwd.livejournal.com 2015-01-23 03:44 pm (UTC)(link)
I've heard a lot of people say that it is very, very good. I haven't had time to go see it yet.

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2015-01-23 04:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Try and find the time. You won't regret it.

[identity profile] wyrmwwd.livejournal.com 2015-01-23 04:05 pm (UTC)(link)
I will, but it will have to be after this weekend. I'm in conference from Saturday morning to Sunday night.

[identity profile] davesmusictank.livejournal.com 2015-01-23 08:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Now on my films to watch list.

[identity profile] poliphilo.livejournal.com 2015-01-23 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
It's excellent.