Into the Wild is based on the last two years of the life of Christopher McCandless (played by Emile Hirsch), a young man who chooses to abandon his promising future as a recent college graduate and embarks on a self-adventure. Discovery For the two years he spent drifting, Christopher stayed under society’s radar and purposefully avoided any contact with his parents, who are portrayed in the film as the catalyst behind his actions. Along the way, he befriends endearing figures from all walks of life, who touch his life as much as he touches theirs. If you’re even vaguely familiar with the story of Christopher McCandless (as told in John Krakauer’s wonderful book), you already know that the young adventurer’s journey eventually led him deep into the Alaskan wilderness, which he considered the pinnacle of his desire. .
Into the Wild is a brilliant and powerful film that will resonate with audiences for years to come. As screenwriter and director, Sean Penn tried to convince the McCandless family to give them the chance to turn their son’s story into a feature film, and I’m still shocked that they finally allowed him to complete it. Billy and Walt McCandless (played by William Hart and Marcia Gay Harden) are not painted in a positive light, and I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to portray yourself that way while dealing with the grief of losing your son.
Having said that, it should be noted that the film contains several fictional elements that add to the overall dramatic effect of the production and cannot be confirmed or denied by historical records. No matter how much research is done by John Krakauer and Sean Penn, we will never know what was going through McCandless’ brain when he decided to give up his money and possessions. The film tries to depict a conversation about his parents buying him a new car as a tipping point for his abandonment of material goods, but this seems far more trivial than an explanation (though I should point out that more details about his childhood are provided later. done and it had an impact on his choices after college).
If there’s one thing I love about Into the Wild, it’s the realization of an instinct that we all have. I cherish any opportunity to get out into nature and the film captures the beauty, danger and allure of the great outdoors in a way that every filmmaker dreams of. Even if you don’t consider yourself an outdoorsman, I think you’ll leave with a nagging sense of joy at the prospect of packing a bag, skipping work, and exploring whatever comes your way.
Naturally, I’d come home the very next night complaining of blisters on my feet and longing for the comfort of my home theater recliner (after all, I’m a man of fleeting ambitions), but the power of the film is still undeniable. We can debate the actions of Christopher McCandless until we are blue in the face and there will always be speculation about his mental state, but for all we know, the man was willing to follow his beliefs in a way that we can understand and relate to. Whether you respect his decision or despise his disregard for an “easy” life, Into the Wild raises questions many of us aren’t forced to ask ourselves, leaving a legacy that will be admired throughout generations to come.
Considering the strong supporting cast in the film, I was impressed that the standout performance came from relative newcomer Emile Hirsch. Stepping into what may be the most difficult role of his acting career, Hirsch embodies McCandless’ brave innocence, bringing out the best and worst in his character. Surrounded by the likes of William Hurt, Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn and Hal Holbrook, the entire production is elevated by the personalities that weave the events together, and I was left with the impression that I had witnessed one of the greatest ensemble casts in history.
Finally, no review would be complete without a discussion of Eddie Vedder’s music. After the film was almost finished, Sean Penn enlisted Vedder and asked him to provide several musical numbers that could be used in the film. During one of the disc’s supplements, Penn discusses his intention to let the music tell the story in several scenes, and that’s exactly what we get. Vedder nailed every detail and emotion in the songs he recorded, creating a soundtrack that almost serves as the narration throughout the film.
As a longtime Pearl Jam fan, I had already heard the Into the Wild soundtrack before my initial viewing of the film, and my appreciation for the album increased tenfold when I was able to hear it in the context of the film. If you haven’t heard the soundtrack or seen the film, you’re in for quite a treat.
