Jon Krakauer wrote a non-fiction account of Christopher McCandless’s dropout from society and adventures in the wild of America and Sean Penn masterfully adapted the book into a screenplay and directed this near-perfect film.

McCandless, an Emory graduate with some heavy-duty family issues, gave away his life savings, cut up his identification cards and became a “leather tramp,” a person who walks around the country. McCandless, who adopted the moniker Alexander Supertramp, had a goal of living off the land in Alaska. On his way to the great white North, McCandless meets some hippies, a wheat farmer, some traveling Europeans and an elderly man who has lived alone with his grief for a long time. He learns from these characters and also teaches them as well in a number of excellent scenes. “Into the Wild” takes the viewer on McCandless’ journey, often filming in the very spots where his journey took him. We get to see the beauty that he saw and also get a sense of the loneliness that he must have felt as well.

Emile Hirsch (“Alpha Dog”) plays McCandless and this should be his breakout and Oscar nominated performance. It is hard for many people to understand McCandless’ motivations to give up all worldly goods and live such a solitary and hard life. He undoubtedly saw himself as a modern day Thoreau, and Hirsch does a great job at conveying the joy that McCandless must have felt. It is near the tragic end of the film where Hirsch really does some heavy lifting and gives an Oscar worthy performance. Once in Alaska, McCandless is all alone and he soon realizes that life out there is harder than he imagined. Food becomes scarce and his hope of return gets blocked off. The performance is truly haunting and nothing short of magnificent.

In describing “Into the Wild,” the film sounds kind of sparse and spartan, but Penn has made a timeless film filled with engrossing characters and many beautiful moments. Supporting performances from Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn and Hal Holbrook are all among some of their best work and the soundtrack penned and performed by Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder is married with the film perfectly. Other solid performances are given by William Hurt, Marcia Gay Harden (as always) and Kristen Stewart.

“Into the Wild” feels like a less drug-fueled “Easy Rider,” with a film stock that doesn’t seem extra glossy or shiny. Penn should be commended for taking a fascinating book and real character and presenting his story with no judgments. McCandless can be viewed in several different ways - a heartless and selfish son, a pure individual seeking honesty, etc. - and it is to his and Hirsch’s credit that the audience can leave the film and see the many sides of McCandless and appreciate them all.

Most of us would never consider taking a trip like Alexander Supertramp’s but Penn gives us wonderful glimpses into the adventure with this terrific movie.

****

login to post comments