The director gained considerable attention after 'Dallas Buyers Club’ earned three Academy Awards, though I appreciated his work prior to that. This film is another compelling drama based on a true story about an expedition into the wilderness. Cheryl Strayed, whose experiences inspired the movie, appears briefly at the start, essentially wishing her character good luck as she sets off. The idea that you can’t outrun your problems – the world is round, after all – resonated with me. Trying to escape issues might just lead you back to where you began; it's a cycle. Suppressing internal struggles can contribute to depression. Sometimes when an attempt doesn’t work out as planned, it's best to start over using a different approach. This film reflects that reality: people sometimes return to their origins to reclaim what was lost. I say all of this because the story is rooted in a real event. I found myself comparing this movie more favorably to the Australian film 'Tracks' than drawing parallels with ‘Into the Wild.’ Both films center on young women, but they explore different motivations for undertaking such journeys. 'Tracks’ felt stronger overall, particularly regarding the challenges faced during the trek, and I was impressed by its narration, cinematography, music, and acting. While both movies are inspired by true stories, I commend the filmmaker's effort in bringing them to the screen and acknowledge the strength of the women who lived these experiences. Both films depict women deeply affected by past events, which drove their decision to venture into the wilderness. I believe 'Tracks’ deserved an Academy Award nomination instead of this one. > I've always been someone's daughter or mother or wife. > I never got to be in the driver's seat of my own life. Reese Witherspoon had a remarkable 2014, with back-to-back films that revitalized her career and evoked powerful human emotions during an era dominated by science fiction and fantasy. She was clearly a favorite among critics, and I doubt another year will match it. It’s worth remembering she received an Oscar nomination for this role. My main disappointment lay in the portrayal of the adventure itself. The hardships didn't feel as profound compared to other films about self-discovery. Events like losing a toenail felt almost expected and lacked significant impact, especially considering that the Pacific Crest Trail is well-maintained and provides hikers with necessary supplies along the way. They essentially just needed to avoid wildlife and be wary of people between checkpoints. What I did appreciate was the film’s exploration of depression. Without those flashbacks, it would have been empty. The story fundamentally revolves around mental healing; she wanted to purge her pain from both body and mind, and the journey facilitated that process. Interestingly, I connected more with Laura Dern's performance than any other in the movie. Her character and dialogue were genuinely inspiring, and her nomination for supporting actress was well-deserved. I could watch this film repeatedly just for her portrayal, though sadly she doesn’t have a substantial role. I enjoyed it, but wasn’t entirely satisfied with the final product, largely because of 'Tracks.' Perhaps the film arrived at an inopportune moment, or maybe I viewed it while ‘Tracks’ was still fresh in my mind. Regardless, it remains an achievement that should be respected. Whether you like the movie or not is secondary to recognizing the extraordinary adventure of an ordinary young woman. 7.5/10

Source on TMDB