Wild

Jean-Marc Vallée’s Dallas Buyers Club was one of the most talked-about and acclaimed films of the past year. Not only did it win three Academy Awards, but it effectively re-launched Matthew McConaughey’s career. Now, Vallée is to return to the silver screen with Wild , a new drama which promises to be equally heart-wrenching.

The film is an adaptation of the best-selling memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific West Trail. Written by Cheryl Strayed, this book tells the story of a 1,000 mile hike on which the author embarked after her life reached crisis point. Dealing with bereavement, depression and addiction, the work was widely praised as an honest and emotive account of suffering and redemption. Perfect territory, then, for Jean-Marc Vallée.  

The memoir has been adapted for the screen by Nick Hornby, author of High Fidelity and About A Boy . Although best known for his novels, Hornby is an experienced screenwriter, whose script for Lone Scherfig’s An Education gained him an Academy Award nomination. Stepping into the role of Cheryl Strayed is Reese Witherspoon, whose performance as June Carpenter Cash in the biopic Walk The Line established her as a talented and versatile actor.

A great deal is expected of Vallée following the success of Dallas Buyers Club, and with Wild he seems determined to meet these expectations.

The film is due for UK release on January 23rd 2015.