Reese Witherspoon

(ph: Cass Bird)

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reese_Witherspoon

Wild (2014)

 

A chronicle of one woman's one thousand one hundred mile solo hike undertaken as a way to recover from a recent personal tragedy. 

Compelling and at times powerful personal travelogue convinces with Witherspoon's strong performance, competent direction and good landscape cinematography. 

The Good Lie (2014)

A group of Sudanese refugees given the chance to resettle in America arrive in Kansas City, Missouri, where their encounter with an employment agency counselor forever changes all of their lives.

Likable, touching and at times humorous refugee story wins authenticity with its cast of actual refugees, but is slightly flawed by some simplifications to an otherwise complex topic.

Vanity Fair (2004)

Devil's Knot (2013)

The savage murders of three young children sparks a controversial trial of three teenagers accused of killing the kids as part of a satanic ritual.

Well produced and well cast true crime story only hints undecidedly at the upsetting aspects of this case and somehow ends in mid-air.

Maltin**1/2: "Straightforward (if arguably unnecessary) dramatization...Witherspoon and Nivola are especially good as the heartbroken mother and aloof stepfather of a young victim. If you've seen the three PARADISE LOST documentaries or WEST OF MEMPHIS this will all be familiar, though it's only the first chapter of the saga. This film ends in 1994 and provides terse postscripts for all that's occurred since then."

Mud (2012)

Two young boys encounter a fugitive and form a pact to help him evade the vigilantes that are on his trail and to reunite him with his true love.

Slow-paced and subtle melodrama of juvenile awakening, all made in good taste with a competent cast, but the two teenage leads are the true stars of the movie.

Maltin***1/2: "Beguiling, fablelike film...Unusual film moves at a leisurely pace, as it should, with sensitive performances from the kids and grown-ups alike."