The movie “Wild” (2014) is based on a memoir by Cheryl Strayed and tells the story of her journey of self-discovery and healing.

After the sudden death of her mother, Cheryl (played by Reese Witherspoon) spirals out of control and begins to engage in reckless behavior, including drug use and infidelity. Desperate to escape her destructive habits and find a sense of purpose, Cheryl decides to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, a grueling 1,100-mile trek that stretches from the Mojave Desert to the Washington-Canada border.

Despite having no prior experience with backpacking, Cheryl sets out on her journey with a heavy pack and a determination to confront her demons and find redemption. Along the way, she encounters a variety of challenges and obstacles, including extreme weather, dangerous wildlife, and physical exhaustion. However, she also meets kind and supportive people who offer her help and encouragement, including a fellow hiker named Greg (played by Kevin Rankin) and a farmer named Frank (played by W. Earl Brown).

As she continues her journey, Cheryl reflects on her past mistakes and confronts the pain and trauma that she has been carrying with her. Through her physical and emotional struggles, she finds a renewed sense of strength and resilience, and ultimately learns to forgive herself and move forward.

The movie “Wild” received critical acclaim for Reese Witherspoon’s performance and its portrayal of Strayed’s journey.

Cast

Here are the main cast members of the movie “Wild” (2014):

  • Reese Witherspoon as Cheryl Strayed
  • Laura Dern as Bobbi Grey (Cheryl’s mother)
  • Thomas Sadoski as Paul (Cheryl’s ex-husband)
  • Michiel Huisman as Jonathan (Cheryl’s boyfriend)
  • Gaby Hoffmann as Aimee (Cheryl’s friend)
  • Kevin Rankin as Greg (a fellow hiker)
  • W. Earl Brown as Frank (a farmer who offers Cheryl assistance)
  • Mo McRae as Jimmy (a hiker whom Cheryl encounters)
  • Keene McRae as Leif (Cheryl’s younger brother)
  • Brian Van Holt as Ranger (a park ranger who gives Cheryl advice)
  • Cliff De Young as Ed (Cheryl’s stepfather)
  • Cathryn de Prume as Stacy (Cheryl’s friend)
  • Charles Baker as T.J. (a hitchhiker whom Cheryl encounters)
  • Nick Eversman as Rich (a hiker whom Cheryl encounters)

Production

Here are some details about the film’s production:

  • The film was produced by Reese Witherspoon, who also stars in the lead role as Cheryl Strayed.
  • “Wild” was shot on location in various locations in Oregon and California, including Ashland, Bend, Crater Lake, and Mount Hood.
  • To prepare for her role as Strayed, Witherspoon underwent extensive training in hiking and backpacking, and spent time on the Pacific Crest Trail herself.
  • The film features flashbacks to Strayed’s past, including scenes with her mother, played by Laura Dern. To create a sense of intimacy between the two actresses, Witherspoon and Dern spent time together off-set and filmed many of their scenes in a small cabin in Ashland, Oregon.
  • The film’s soundtrack features music by various artists, including Simon & Garfunkel, Leonard Cohen, and Bruce Springsteen, as well as original music by composer and musician, Volker Bertelmann (Hauschka).
  • “Wild” premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 29, 2014, and was released in theaters on December 5, 2014.
  • The film received critical acclaim for its performances, direction, and cinematography, and was nominated for several awards, including two Academy Awards for Best Actress (Reese Witherspoon) and Best Supporting Actress (Laura Dern).

Reviews

Here are some reviews of the movie “Wild” (2014):

  • “Reese Witherspoon gives a career-best performance in ‘Wild,’ a moving and inspirational film about a woman who sets out to heal herself by hiking 1,100 miles along the Pacific Crest Trail.” – Justin Chang, Variety
  • “There’s something wonderfully exhilarating and altogether profound about ‘Wild,’ a raw, emotionally charged drama that boasts yet another remarkable performance from Reese Witherspoon.” – Scott Foundas, The Hollywood Reporter
  • “The film’s real success comes in its depiction of the inner journey of Strayed, and how the hike serves as a metaphor for the journey of healing and self-discovery she undergoes.” – Claudia Puig, USA Today
  • “Vallée makes the hike seem grueling and exhilarating, but what’s more impressive is how he portrays Strayed’s internal transformation.” – Rafer Guzman, Newsday
  • “It’s a movie that is as much about grief and loss as it is about putting one foot in front of the other. And it’s a movie that, thanks to Witherspoon’s fearless and deeply felt performance, is hard to shake.” – Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post

Overall, “Wild” received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, with particular praise for Reese Witherspoon’s performance and the film’s portrayal of Cheryl Strayed’s journey of self-discovery.

Fun facts

Here are some fun facts about the movie “Wild” (2014):

  1. Reese Witherspoon purchased the rights to Cheryl Strayed’s memoir with her own money and was instrumental in bringing the film to fruition.
  2. To prepare for the role of Cheryl Strayed, Reese Witherspoon underwent rigorous training in hiking and backpacking, and even wore a backpack filled with rocks during some of the filming to accurately portray the physical strain of the journey.
  3. Laura Dern, who plays Cheryl’s mother in the film, is actually only nine years older than Reese Witherspoon in real life.
  4. Director Jean-Marc Vallée shot the film in chronological order, with minimal rehearsals, in order to create a more authentic and emotional performance.
  5. Reese Witherspoon’s daughter, Ava Phillippe, has a small role in the film as a younger version of Cheryl Strayed.
  6. During the film’s production, the cast and crew had to deal with extreme weather conditions, including temperatures that sometimes dropped below freezing.
  7. The film’s title, “Wild,” comes from a line in a poem by poet and author Adrienne Rich, which is also quoted in the film.
  8. The film’s soundtrack features a mix of classic songs by artists like Simon & Garfunkel and Leonard Cohen, as well as original music by composer Volker Bertelmann (Hauschka).
  9. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards, one for Best Actress (Reese Witherspoon) and one for Best Supporting Actress (Laura Dern).
  10. Cheryl Strayed herself appears in a brief cameo in the film, as a woman who passes Reese Witherspoon’s character on the trail and gives her some words of encouragement.

Where are they now?

Here’s a brief overview of where some of the main actors from “Wild” (2014) are now:

  1. Reese Witherspoon (Cheryl Strayed) – Witherspoon has continued to act in both film and television, and has also become a prominent producer through her production company, Hello Sunshine. She has also been actively involved in social justice causes and launched a media company called “The Shine Network” in 2021.
  2. Laura Dern (Bobbi Grey) – Dern has continued to act in film and television, and has received critical acclaim for her performances in “Big Little Lies” and “Marriage Story.” She has also been involved in various philanthropic causes, including environmentalism and women’s rights.
  3. Thomas Sadoski (Paul) – Sadoski has continued to act in film and television, and has appeared in shows like “The Newsroom” and “Life in Pieces.” He is also an active supporter of various charitable causes, including animal rights and education.
  4. Michiel Huisman (Jonathan) – Huisman has continued to act in film and television, and has appeared in shows like “Game of Thrones” and “The Haunting of Hill House.” He also released an album of original music called “Luchtige Verhalen” in 2020.
  5. Gaby Hoffmann (Aimee) – Hoffmann has continued to act in film and television, and has appeared in shows like “Transparent” and “Girls.” She is also an advocate for reproductive rights and co-founded the reproductive rights organization “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.”
  6. Kevin Rankin (Greg) – Rankin has continued to act in film and television, and has appeared in shows like “Breaking Bad” and “Goliath.” He is also an advocate for various social justice causes, including LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness.

Overall, the cast members of “Wild” have continued to have successful careers in the entertainment industry and beyond, and have remained active in philanthropic and social justice causes.

Box office

The movie “Wild” (2014) had a budget of $15 million and grossed $52.5 million at the worldwide box office. In the United States, the film grossed $37.9 million, while it made $14.6 million internationally.

“Wild” was released in limited theaters in the United States on December 5, 2014, and expanded to more theaters in subsequent weeks. The film had a strong showing at the box office, especially for a smaller independent film with a limited release.

While the box office numbers for “Wild” were not as high as some other Hollywood blockbusters, the film was still considered a commercial success, especially given its lower budget and limited release. The film also received critical acclaim and was nominated for several awards, including two Academy Awards.

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