2 Oregon-connected films named on the New York Times' list of favorites since 2000
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Two films with Oregon connections made a national roundup of the best movies released within the past 25 years.
The New York Times’ listicle titled “The Movies We’ve Loved Since 2000” features hundreds of films that have received rave reviews from the newspaper's critics so far this century.
One of the selections was “Sam Now,” which was directed by Portland-based filmmaker Reed Harkness. The documentary centers on Harkness’ half-brother Sam Harkness, whose mother abruptly disappeared from Seattle in the early 2000s.
The film follows the brothers as they travel across the West Coast to investigate why Sam’s mother disappeared — and eventually find her.
“Drawing on friendly but frank interviews and 25 years of home-movie adventures shot by Reed with Sam, it’s a film whose emotional reality seems to evolve before your eyes,” the newspaper wrote in its review.
Released in 2022, “Sam Now” has received a Peabody Award nomination and was named “Best Documentary” at the Zurich Film Festival.
The New York Times also recognized a more star-studded, Oregon-connected film: “Wild.” Inspired by Cheryl Strayed’s 2012 memoir “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail,” the movie stars Reese Witherspoon as the woman who embarked on a 1,100-mile solo hike in 1995 in response to personal struggles.
Strayed’s original memoir secured a Barnes & Noble Discover Award and an Oregon Book Award, while the 2014 film adaptation secured Academy Award nominations for Witherspoon and Laura Dern — who portrays her late mother.
“‘Wild’ has its shortcomings,” the Times wrote of the film, in part. “But you wouldn’t want a movie that celebrates imperfection, improvisation and the importance of mistakes to be slick or seamless.”
Both “Wild” and “Sam Now” are available on multiple streaming platforms.