Wild film
Personal identity
As presented in the movie, the problem of own identity mainly revolves around the main character of the film, Cheryl. It is difficult for her to understand her integrity, and even the viewers are unable to decipher it. One of the leading causes of this problem is primarily due to the troubles she faced in her life, especially the death of her mother. These caused her to self-destruct. Part of the aims of taking the hike is to try to find herself and understand her identity. One of the areas that best showed this particular identity problem in the film was when Cheryl encountered a reporter while she was stopping cars on the road to ask for help. The reporter tells her that he was not there to help her but rather to document her experiences. The reporter thinks that she is a hobo. However, Cheryl is not able to explain her self articulately; hence she ends up agreeing with whatever he says. At one point, she even labels herself as being a feminist, also though her past actions and life seem to suggest differently. The main actor in the film, therefore, has a personality problem. It is hard for the viewers to follow locate exactly what her identity. Even at the end of the film, her character is still not yet evident.
Role of places and communities
Within the film, the role of areas and neighborhoods is quite significant. First, the importance of the community within the life of people is enormous. The immediate family is part of the main actor’s community. Consequently, when her mother passes away as a result of cancer, it disorients her life. She goes on to abuse drugs and engages in risky sexual behavior with strangers. The members of the community, especially close family members, contribute to the quality if the life an individual has. Places are also crucial in the film, the most important being the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail. Cheryl sets upon a mission to reach the end of the trail, with the hope that by the end of it, she will have gotten her identity and have the mentality to put her life back on track.
Personal connection
One of the most common ways in which I find a personal relationship with the film’s main overriding story: the loss of a loved one. I have seen people close to me, be it friends or even relatives lose their loved ones. The aftermath of it is not good because it disoriented their lives. With that, they tried to find ways to try to forget the sorrow or heal the pain. Unfortunately, it sometimes came with unwanted consequences such as abusing drugs and engaging in risky sexual behaviors, just as Cheryl does in the film.
Spirit of the film
The critical spirit of the film is that despite one going through severe stages in life, there is always a way to salvage the situation. One should, therefore, not give up, despite the negative impact it might have -had on one’s life. A substantial manifestation of this never-give-up spirit is seen when Cheryl tuned to drugs and meaningless sex after the death of her mother. It even led to the collapse of her marriage. The hiking journey was, therefore, a path to salvation to her. Also though she faced many tough times along the way, she never gave up.