Wild

Witherspoonhas always been adept at embodying extreme personalities...she is an expert at personifying perky pillars of strength who are just a wee bit scary. She is also a survivor, and not just on screen.

...he has a fine ally in Witherspoon, who cranks it up a little in excerpts from Cheryl’s “lost years,” but has enough self-confidence to avoid histrionics when alone on the trail...

Given the general predilection for biopics and memoirs to make triumphs out of tragedy or gloss over emotional trauma, the frankness is refreshing. Wild walks to its own beat.

...Vallée, in collaboration with screenwriter Nick Hornby, gives the film its energy by pulling the narrative apart.

Reese Witherspoon's major comeback.