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Director Sean Penn's Into the WildEmile Hirsch As Chris McCandless, Eddie Vedder Soundtrack
Based on real travels and adventures of a young man, this film co-stars Marcia Gay Harden, Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, William Hurt and Jena Malone.
Into the Wild is based on true events, the story of Christopher McCandless, who left behind a conventional life in exchange for one lived in the wild. Taken from the book Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, Emile Hirsch plays the lead, with several strong actors in support (including Catherine Keener, William Hurt, Jena Malone, and Vince Vaughn). Sean Penn directs this much-lauded film; the end result is inspiring and really captures McCandless' spirit. McCandless' JourneyEven in the knowledge that few could (or would want to) follow in McCandless' footsteps, seeing where his motivation and his passion for his views comes from makes the film an uplifting and moving one. He abandons his family (mostly his parents, his sister has an idea of what he's up to), and while the viewer may find his harsh treatment of them to be an overreaction, there is plenty to be explained as the film rolls along. He gives up a promising future at a prestigious school and donates his entire savings, keeping only the base amount he'll need for supplies. And so he begins his journey, picking up work along the way to save for the biggest part of his adventure: Alaska and its winter. Friends & TrampingThe film gets moving right off, showcasing McCandless' old life alongside his current one and his "tramping" trek. The past reveals plenty about his motivation and each passing moment leaves less and less sympathy for his parents. His parents weren't the worst parents imaginable, but they were certainly horrible at the job. Most of the people he meets along the way contrast beautifully with his parents. Jan and Rainey (Keener and Brian Dierker) play the couple he spends time with on more than one occasion, forming the tightest bond with Jan. However, one of his last acquaintances is the most moving--played by Hal Holbrook (who was Oscar-nominated for the role). It's in the last quarter of the film that some of the most profound moments emerge--even a few you didn't see coming. The film shows Christopher McCandless and his journey in a positive, inspiring light. However, many people consider him to have been careless and a bad model for adventurers; McCandless did not use maps, nor did he plan his routes. One severe miscalculation in Alaska involving the size of a river could have apparently been avoided had he simply checked a map--there was a crossing a few miles away. Many berate the film for showcasing what they consider to be a reckless and stupid example of trekking. It can hardly be argued that McCandless made mistakes--but it also comes across very solidly in the film that he was aware of the possibility of his own shortsightedness. He didn't seem to openly have a deathwish, but it also seemed clear he wanted to be at the mercy of the wild. Standing Behind ChoicesInto the Wild is gorgeous to look at, inspiring to watch, and best of all is its spirit. It's not preaching, pretentious or overly sympathetic. It merely paints a viewpoint, and it very much appears to represent the subject's take on the world and how he chose to live, regardless of the consequences. His choices may not have been well thought-out ones, but there hardly seemed to be much importance for McCandless on the longevity of life as much as the quality of it. Complete with a great soundtrack by Eddie Vedder (his first solo project), the film is an unusual combination of things and it works beautifully--it may not be the most uplifting, but it still manages to inspire.
The copyright of the article Director Sean Penn's Into the Wild in Film Dramas Based on Books is owned by Margaret Burke. Permission to republish Director Sean Penn's Into the Wild in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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