Cheryl Strayed isn’t the perfect thru hiker: she has no experience, she does less than half of the trail, and she carries way too much stuff. But this film isn’t about how to thru hike the Pacific Crest Trail. It’s about how one damaged young woman finally took the steps to accept and forgive herself. It’s a very emotionally powerful story and I recommend seeing it. It is very limited release right now but you can find out which theaters are playing it here.
I enjoyed the book by Cheryl Strayed so was excited to see the movie. I wondered how they’d translate it since the book is very introspective but they handled it with flashbacks which take up probably half of the movie. All of the actors were great and it was very true to the book. Of course, the author was pretty involved in its filming, with her daughter playing herself as a child and she even making a quick cameo. Reese Witherspoon plays Strayed in the film, and they grew close during its making, so she played the character very authentically.
I want to watch this with you when you finally come home!