Trekking 1,000 miles to get back on track in ‘Wild’

“Wild” is one of those risky projects wherein the story zeroes in on one character, and if that person is not very interesting or sympathetic, the entire film can fall flat. This movie comes very close to taking that spill.

Fortunately, “Wild” is propped up by the presence of Reese Witherspoon in the lead role, giving a performance that has earned a Golden Globe nomination and should be a contender for an Academy Award nod also.

Witherspoon has had her detractors over the years — in 2012 she received the EDA Special Mention Award from the Alliance of Women Journalists for Actress Most in Need of a New Agent for her role in “This Means War” — but one cannot deny that, in whatever role she takes on, she is watchable.

She is on the screen for almost all of the movie’s 115 minutes of running time, mostly in scenes where she is trudging along, reeling from the burden of an overloaded backpack. She is grimy and sweaty and out of breath.  And those are her better moments. Otherwise, while taking a break from her hiking quest, she is building the character of her role as Cheryl Strayed. That’s where the real strain is because Cheryl Strayed as presented here just is not that interesting.

“Wild” is based on the autobiographical book by Strayed, a Minnesota woman who went on a 1,100-mile solo hike along the Pacific Coast trail as a means of self-discovery following the death of her mother and subsequent fall into a life of drugs and sex.

Those of us who have had hiking experience can relate to the discomfort Cheryl endured during her months-long trek — the sore muscles, the bruises from the constant thumping of the pack against your back, the blisters and toenail damage.

The rest of the movie simply does not do enough to lift Strayed’s bland character. Her failed marriage to Paul (Thomas Sadoski) is barely fleshed out. Too bad because despite all their problems the two people have managed to remain friends. Gaby Hoffman is underused as Cheryl’s loyal friend Aimee — viewers get little insight into that friendship.

On the plus side, Laura Dern delivers an under-appreciated performance — no nominations yet — as Cheryl’s mother Bobbi. This woman’s life certainly would serve the basis for a more emotionally wrenching movie. Married to an abusive, alcoholic man, Bobbi makes do with what she has. The best scenes in “Wild” feature Dern and Witherspoon. The highlight is a flashback scene in their home when Cheryl incredulously asks Bobbi how she can cultivate a positive attitude given the troublesome life of which she has been dealt. Bobbi replies she has no regrets — the bad marriage did produce two children she adores — and that she is not going to allow all the mishaps to define her life.

Bobbi exudes an optimism despite the financial difficulties, the domestic upheaval and even the health setbacks.

Cheryl responds to the loss of her mother in the most disrespectful way — indulging in drugs and cheating on her husband — until she sees a book in a local store about the Pacific Coast trail. Thus she decides to embark in this long hike as a way to get back in track.

There are some humorous moments as Cheryl, an inexperienced hiker, stumbles along, especially burdened by a backpack stuffed with a lot of junk she does not need. Also, Cheryl does mutter a few witty, sometimes macabre observations. There is even a funny encounter with a reporter for a magazine that focuses on hobos.

Along the way, Cheryl meets other fellow hikers, and there is some tension given the possibility these people might harm her. But the film does capture the camaraderie of dedicated hikers. Especially standing out are Kevin Rankin as Greg, Cathryn de Prume as Stacey and Cliff DeYoung as Ed, the latter a grizzled veteran of the outdoors who helps Cheryl discard much of the items she thought she needed to haul in her backpack.

The script was written by Nick Hornby, himself the author of “Fever Pitch” and “About A Boy.” Jean-Marc Vallee (“Dallas Buyers Club”) directed “Wild” and put together a visual treat, thanks to the natural beauty of the west coast wilderness. But the character of Cheryl Strayed, even in the end, does not stand out. She is on the receiving end of wisdom and generosity throughout her journey, but she shares no insight, no advice to others who have endured similar difficulties. All the gifts she received are never reciprocated.

 

 

‘The Theory of Everything’ is a story about perseverance

For those who see the title of the movie “The Theory of Everything” and break into a cold sweat, accompanied by flashbacks of those torturous high school and college science and math classes, rest assured this film is not two hours of a professor at a chalkboard, lecturing away.

Instead, “The Theory of Everything” is the story of two people who faced a sobering challenge and prevailed.

Eddie Redmayne is generating Academy Award buzz for his portrayal of the renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, whose theories on black holes sent shock waves through the scientific community. But this aspect of his life is not covered in detail in “The Theory of Everything.” Instead, the movie, based upon the book by Hawking’s ex-wife Jane, focuses on their relationship and his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

While a graduate student at Cambridge in the early 1960s, Hawking meets Jane Wilde (Felicity Jones), a friend of his sister, and despite their religious differences — she is a member of the Church of England and he is an atheist — they fall in love.

However, the early signs of ALS set in and Hawking is told he has maybe two years to live. But instead of giving up, Jane vows to stay with him and help him deal with this degenerative disease, and they are married.

As his body deteriorates, Hawking  remains focused on his work, and Jane becomes an emotional force and source of strength in their marriage, which produces three children.

Redmayne’s performance is exceptional, not only in portraying the debilitating aspect of the illness that leads him to being wheelchair bound, but also the difficulties in speech. Hawking is seen as a man still strong in mind and determination although growing weak in body.

The script by is Anthony McCarten, and as portrayed by Jones, Jane is seen as a woman who sometimes stumbles but never wilts under the pressures of having to provide constant care for her husband.

The movie does not delve into the  strains of the marriage, although it does show how the Hawkings grew apart. Encouraged by her mother, Beryl (Emily Watson) to join a church choir as a release from the enormous burdens of caring for her husband, Jane does so and meets the choir director, Jonathan (Charlie Cox), a widow who soon also becomes a helper in the family, and inevitably he and Jane develop strong feelings for one another.

Meanwhile, Hawking grows close to one of his nurses, Elaine Mason (Maxine Peake), and eventually he and Jane are divorced and he marries Elaine while Jane weds Jonathan.

The screenplay by McCarten, along with the direction of James Marsh, handle this aspect of the Hawkings marriage delicately. In real life, there was a period of alienation between Stephen and his ex-wife and children, and there were even suspicions by his family, never proven, that Stephen was being physically abused. Eventually there was reconciliation with his children and Jane.

In the end, “The Theory of Everything” is the story of triumph. Hawking has lived decades beyond what was expected, as ALS is a fatal disease. And when Hawking makes a public appearance long after he has lost his voice via a tracheotomy and must communicate electronically, he writes, “There should be no boundaries to human endeavor. We are all different. However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do, and succeed at. While there’s life, there is hope.”

 

Predictable story, but cuteness, small details lift ‘Penguins of Madagascar’

You can’t go wrong with penguins. Right? Well, “March of the Penguins” was a fascinating real-life documentary, and Bugs Bunny’s Warner Bros. cartoon adventures in which he has to keep a mute penguin out of peril (“8-Ball Bunny” and “Frigid Hare”) were good for laughs.

When it comes to “Penguins of Madagascar,” these critters may be spread a little too thin.

Much like Skrat, the acorn-obsessed saber-toothed squirrel in the “Ice Age” series, the four penguins in the “Madagascar” animated films work better in short, energetic spurts rather than in a feature-length movie.

“Penguins of Madagascar” is a pleasant enough movie, a nice time for the family. Children will enjoy the visual antics of the stars while adults will find occasional amusements in the jokes that youngsters will not understand.

“Penguins” opens with a prelude about how the four creatures got together as kids, led by the Skipper, who entices Kowalski and Rico to rescue a runaway egg that hatches and becomes the fourth in their group, Private.

Years later, this group faces its greatest peril when it encounters Dr. Octavius Brine, also known as Dave, a revenge-minded scientist. The penguins suffer a few setbacks and soon find themselves forced into an uneasy alliance with an undercover group called The North Wind, led by a fox named Classified (voice of Benedict Cumberbatch).

Skipper (Tom McGrath) and his boys are at strategic odds with The North Wind in a typical match of an elite, high-tech unit versus a tight-knit group that relies on its resourcefulness rather than gadgetry. While they have the same foe in Dr. Brine/Dave, the two factions bicker on the methods to bring down the villain.

Character development tends to bog down the story. Skipper finds his leadership questioned while Private (Christopher Knights), although adored by his fellow penguins, is not considered a key player in the attempt to foil Dr. Brine. Classified’s leadership also falters along the way.

The story leads to a predictable conclusion that includes an unlikely hero. It’s a good tale for children. Adults, meanwhile, should stay alert and catch all the humorous little details obviously inserted for their benefit by the writing team of John Aboud, Michael Colton,Brandon Sawyer, Alan J. Schoolcraft and Brent Simons — there are plays on celebrity names throughout.

As usual, the visuals are a stunning array of computer-generated animation, a joyride of cuteness throughout.