In 1995, Cheryl Strayed decided to clean up her pointless and perilous life of drugs and sex with a little 1800km stroll along the Pacific Crest Trail. Along the way she reflected on how things got so bad, and later wrote a best seller. Adapting such a contemplative book into a film that doesn’t bore your socks off is a challenge, but director Jean-Marc Vallée (Dallas Buyers Club) and writer Nick Hornby pull it off. Mostly.

Undeniably elemental, but more interesting than compelling, and the ending’s lame. But it’s worth seeing for the scenery (natch) and an uncompromising performance by Reese Witherspoon. Japanese title: Watashi ni Aumade no 1,600 Kilo. (115 min)