TORONTO (AP) – You can imagine big-name actors queuing outside Jean-Marc Vallee’s door: “Mr. Vallee, may I please have a McConaissance, too?”
Though a relatively new name to moviegoers, the Quebecois filmmaker has quickly established himself as a sought-after actor’s director. A year after premiering “Dallas Buyer Club” at the Toronto International Film Festival, Vallee is back with another movie likely be a constant on the awards circuit, also led by a veteran actor achieving career renewal.
In “Wild,” Reese Witherspoon stars as Cheryl Strayed, who chronicled her journey on the Pacific Crest Trail in her best-selling memoir of the same name. Freshly divorced and pained by the death of her mother (Laura Dern in the film), Strayed was ill-prepared for her long hike but found an emotional catharsis in the wilderness. The film has already drawn acclaim that’s likely to propel it into the Oscars, particularly for Witherspoon’s unadorned performance.
“It’s deja vu,” said Valle, chuckling, in an interview. “Here I am again, almost in the same situation with an actress who got out of her comfort zone, just like McConaughey did.”
The 51-year-old Montreal director had made several features, including the 2009 British monarchy drama “The Young Victoria,” before the Oscar-winning sensation of “Dallas Buyers Club.” But with its award-winning performances from McConaughey and Jared Leto, “Dallas Buyers Club” made Vallee a hotly pursued director.