Wildlike (2014)

After conditions in her new home become unbearable, a teenage girl runs away and befriends an older man preparing for a hike through the Alaskan wilderness.

Director:

Frank Hall Green

Writer:

Frank Hall Green

Stars:

Ella Purnell, Brian Geraghty, Diane Farr

48 wins & 17 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ella Purnell	...	Mackenzie
Brian Geraghty	...	Uncle
Diane Farr	...	Mom
Nolan Gerard Funk	...	Tommy
Joshua Leonard	...	Dad
Julia Forster	...	Lizzie
Christopher Constant	...	Office Employee
Paul Wilcox	...	Office Employee
Thomas Daly	...	Office Employee
Teddy Kyle Smith	...	Blain
Ossie Kairaiuak	...	Outdoor Store Employee
Russell Josh Peterson	...	Mendenhall Guy with Dog (as Russell Peterson)
Bruce Greenwood	...	Bartlett
Jamie Nelson	...	Anchorage Kite Person
Rich Capitan	...	Anchorage Kite Person

Storyline

Mackenzie, a troubled but daring teenage girl, is sent by her struggling mother to live with her uncle in Juneau, Alaska. Although Uncle seems like a supportive caretaker and friend, the relationship turns and Mackenzie is forced to run. Trying to make her way back to Seattle alone to find her absent mother, Mackenzie only winds up deeper in the Alaskan interior. Lost and with no one else to turn to, she shadows a loner backpacker, Bartlett, an unlikely father figure with scars of his own. Together, they cross the wilderness and discover sanctuary in the last frontier.

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Plot Keywords:

juneau alaska | denali national park | wilderness | sexual abuse of minor | flying a kite | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The polar bear at the Juneau airport in the beginning of the film used to be in the airport in the city of Spokane, Washington, where Wildlike recently played and won best narrative and an audience award. A Spokane resident pointed this out in the Q&A.

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Quotes

Mackenzie: [sheltering from the rain together under a tarp] This is fuckin' cool, this setup. So now we...
Bartlett: We wait. Stop swearing.

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Soundtracks

The Parting Glass
Traditional Folk Song
Performed by The Wailin' Jennys
Courtesy of Red House Records
All Rights Reserved

User Reviews

Haunting, yet remarkably hopeful - An important and enduring story

WildLike unfolds beautifully on screen - an authentic and thoughtful tale of recovery, relationships, healing and hope.

Mackenzie (Ella Purnell) must leave Washington state and go live with her uncle (Brian Geraghty) when her troubled mother enters a treatment and counseling program. Although seemingly conflicted, his lingering, uncomfortable gazes eventually give way to inappropriate behavior, and Mackenzie decides to flee his custody and find her way home. However she quickly realizes that Juneau will be difficult to leave, fully bordered by either mountains or water. A chance encounter with the recently widowed backpacker, Rene Bartlett (Bruce Greenwood), evolves into a method of escape, and Bart finds himself an unwitting partner in Mackenzie's plan to return to Seattle. Set amidst the majestic Alaskan wilderness - a place of boundless beauty, challenges and respite - their journey soon becomes more important than the destination. Free from distractions, Bart and Mackenzie (small against this magnificent landscape), experience the power of redemption and restoration. When Bart realizes the gravity of Mackenzie's situation, his concern for her deepens, and he realizes that her salvation is dependent upon his reaction.

This is a quiet, subtle film. In fact, there are times when the mountains seem to speak loudest. Indecencies against children are far too common, and they frequently happen in a "non-Hollywood" manner; often discreetly and calmly perpetrated by those closest to the victim. Attempts to navigate life and its relationships, after being victimized, are fraught with difficulties, leaving survivors confused and distrustful. Modern movies have become somewhat scarce on pure heroes. Even "good guys" are frequently so flawed that it's difficult to really root for them. The strength and tenacity shown by Purnell's character, along with the true unfettered goodness exuded by Greenwood, are welcome and refreshing.

WildLike masterfully proves that sometimes the Last Frontier is actually the beginning of a new life.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official Twitter

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 September 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Wildlike

Filming Locations:

Anchorage, Alaska, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Greenmachine Film, Killer Films, Tandem Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1