Reese Witherspoon goes 'all in' for Wild

Reese Witherspoon, the actress who's made a career out of playing America'ssweetheart types, drops the pink-bowed chihuahuas and hits the road in Jean-MarcValle's downward spiral drama, Wild.

The movie, based on Cheryl Strayed's bestselling memoir, follows her quest for recovery from addiction and griefby embarkingon a 1,600-kilometrejourney along the Pacific CrestTrail.

• PHOTOS|ReeseWitherspoon, LauraDerndebut their film Wild at TIFF
• VIDEO|'I was crying like a baby' says Wild director Jean-Marc Valle

Witherspoon goes "all in" playing a recovering heroin addict, says CBC's film critic Eli Glasner."She is figuratively and literately naked: gaunt,tired and struggling under her massive pack and the perceptions of others."

LauraDernwarmly playsStrayed's late mother who appears in flashbacks, inspiring herdaughter to overcome her hardships.

Oscar buzz is building for Dern and Witherspoon and forValle's directing. The Montreal director'slast big Hollywood picture,Dallas Buyers Club, won three golden statuettes at the 2014 Oscars.

Wild opens in select Canadian theatres this weekend.

Watch Eli Glasner's full review in the video above.