It’s about time we had the female-driven answer to “127 Hours”. Written and spoken tales of surviving in the American wilderness have been around since the beginning of our history and are a fundamental part of our country’s lore. But, as history and our modern media would have it, these tales traditionally focus on men – our Lewis and Clarks, our Jack Londons. But where are our Sacagaweas?
Strayed’s own image from her journey
Cheryl Strayed’s bestselling memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail sought to right that wrong, and will continue to do so as its movie adaption comes to theaters soon. American media is going to get a strong gust of girl power in the form of Reese Witherspoon, taking on the role of Strayed, as she walks 1,000 miles alone on the Pacific Crest Trail and revisits the demons of her past.
The trailer is OFFICIALLY here, so if you weren’t excited before, this should do the trick. What to expect (according to the trailer):
– Some great references to female writers (quoting Emily Dickinson right off the bat!)
– Lots of inner monologues
– Even MORE flashbacks
– Some gruesome occurrences on the trail (maybe not cutting off her own arm, but definitely holding her own against these injuries)
– Lots of mother-daughter memories that will both break your heart and make it sing
– A redefining of the term “strong female lead” (most don’t typically begin with a heroin addiction and divorce)
– An amazing soundtrack, starting with Beck’s “Turn Away” (yes, just yes)
– One more great film that passes the Bechdel Test, yay yay yay
And this is just from the trailer. Oh god. Wow. Definitely material to get pumped about – but don’t worry, its release date on December 5th is just around the corner. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself.
Images via Fox Searchlight Pictures, cherylstrayed.com
