By Tim McGroaty
“Into the Wild” is a true story that follows adventurer Christopher McCandless, who gives his life-savings to charity after graduating college and abandons his wrecked home to start what he refers to as his great Alaskan adventure.
Along his great hike to Alaska, McCandless kept a diary, detailing the people he met along the way and the extraordinary things in nature he had seen. This movie accurately tells of these accounts.
“Into the Wild” is based on a novel by Jon Krakauer and directed by actor Sean Penn who last stunned us with “The Pledge.” Penn does an excellent job of capturing the subtle beauty of nature and creating characters with plenty of backstory. The film makes the audience feel his parents’ torment after having not heard from their son since he embarked on his adventure.
Actor Emile Hirsch does a flawless job of playing McCandless, an explorer who loves life and nature for what they are. All the supporting players are also magnificent: Hal Holbrook, Brian Dierker, Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn and Kirsten Stewart all add their own charm. Dierker, Keener, and Stewart play the part of a family that takes McCandless in as their own and allow Hirsch to show off how modest and unselfish he is. McCanless meets the family he wishes he had, helping to shape who he is, with great philosophical advice and insight.
The subject matter is so rich that it is obvious this story had to be made into a movie, and it is hard to imagine how anyone could have done it better than Penn. All Penn’s directorial efforts have been heartfelt and earnest, but this has the widest appeal thus far. “Into the Wild” is a good balance of emotionally wrenching and thought provoking feelings. It contains many themes and poses questions about youth, time and responsibility.
McCandless tackles nature head on, and his journey only helps him appreciate nature and Alaska all the more when he finally arrives. This is where McCandless decides to live temporarily, where he belongs and where he is happy- in the wilderness.
“Into the Wild” seems more moving and thought provoking than any other recent film. It takes on many topics such as society, nature, family and loneliness. But most of all it is about the dangerous, heartbreakingly brief and beautiful romanticism of youth. In those two years, McCandless lived a whole, remarkable life. And Penn has captured those two years beautifully for us.
Actor Emile Hirsch working with Sean Penn on the filming of “Into the Wild.” Based on the book by John Krakauer, and out now, the film marks Penn’s return to the director’s chair. (allmoviephoto.com)