"Wild" is a 2014 American biographical adventure drama film directed by Jean-Marc Vallée. It's based on Cheryl Strayed's 2012 memoir "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail." The film stars Reese Witherspoon as Cheryl, a self-destructive divorcée who decides to hike 1,100 miles across the Pacific Crest Trail to overcome her personal tragedies and challenges.
The film follows Cheryl's journey as she deals with the loss of her mother (played by Laura Dern), her struggles with drug addiction, and the breakdown of her marriage. As Cheryl treks along the trail, she encounters various dangers and setbacks but also experiences the kindness of strangers. This journey becomes a powerful form of self-discovery and healing for her.
"Wild" premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on August 29, 2014, and was theatrically released in the United States on December 5, 2014. It was both a critical and commercial success, grossing $52.5 million against a $15 million budget. The performances of Witherspoon and Dern were particularly praised, earning them nominations for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress at the 87th Academy Awards, respectively.
Jean-Marc Vallée was a celebrated Canadian filmmaker known for his distinctive style and impactful storytelling. Born on March 9, 1963, in Montreal, Quebec, Vallée began his career by creating short films that gained critical attention in the early 1990s. His notable early works included "Stereotypes" (1991) and "Black List" (1995), the latter becoming the highest-grossing film in Quebec in 1995 and earning nine Genie Award nominations.
Vallée's international breakthrough came with the 2005 film "C.R.A.Z.Y.," which he co-wrote drawing from his and co-writer François Boulay's childhood experiences. This film was an autobiographical exploration of a young man dealing with homophobia and heterosexism in 1960s and 1970s Quebec. "C.R.A.Z.Y." received critical acclaim and numerous awards, including 11 Genie Awards and 13 Jutra Awards.
In 2009, Vallée directed "The Young Victoria," a historical drama about Queen Victoria, which was well-received and won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design. Following this, he directed "Café de Flore" (2011), a complex tale of love and soulmates, which, despite mixed reviews, earned a devoted following and multiple Genie Award nominations.
His Hollywood career further solidified with "Dallas Buyers Club" (2013), which was nominated for six Academy Awards and won Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. Vallée also received an Oscar nomination for his editing work on the film. "Wild" (2014), another major success, garnered Academy Award nominations for its stars, Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern.
Vallée continued to demonstrate his versatility by directing the HBO series "Big Little Lies" (2017-2019) and "Sharp Objects" (2018), earning critical acclaim and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing.
Vallée was known for his preference for natural lighting and shooting during the day. He often used the alias John Mac McMurphy for his editing work. Personal life-wise, he was married to Chantal Cadieux from 1990 to 2006, with whom he had two sons.
Sadly, Vallée passed away unexpectedly due to arrhythmia on December 25, 2021, at his chalet in Berthier-sur-Mer, Quebec, at the age of 58. His passing was a significant loss to the film industry both in Canada and Hollywood.
댓글