Into the Wild (2007)

Overall rating from 1 to 100: 91

O Masterpiece (100)
X Excellent (75-99)
O Rental (60-74)
O OK (50-59)
O Mediocrity (30-49)
O Avoid (1-29)

Review by Jason Pyles / November 15, 2007

Yes, this film is an adaptation of the sobering Jon Krakauer book of the same name. Yes, said book (and therefore, the movie) is based on a real person’s real life. Yes, “Into the Wild” was directed by Sean Penn, who also wrote the screenplay. And yes, “Into the Wild” ranks among the 10 best films of the year. Oh, and yes, you should see it.

Set in 1992, “Into the Wild” depicts brief segments from a several-week period in the life of Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch), while flashing back to catch us up on his back story. Chris is a well-read, idealistic, passionate college graduate. Chris deeply resents capitalistic society, materialism, “the American dream,” and especially his parents.

An avid reader and student of Jack London, Thoreau and Tolstoy, just to name a few, Chris seeks to find Truth by renouncing the typical, loathsome, American lifestyle and launching himself into a journey of self-discovery and rebirth, and perhaps most importantly, returning to nature.

So, through these flashbacks, we watch the young wanderer’s sojourns and acquaintances whom he meets during his adventures. Each encounter is carefully recorded in his traveler’s diary, which is revealed to us primarily through the visual images and some voice-over narration. And the goal of his journey is to live freely and uninhibited deep in the unpopulated Alaskan wilderness, which is where the “present-moment” storyline between the flashbacks comes from.

Because “Into the Wild” is biographical, it doesn’t follow the usual formula for Hollywood story arcs. Indeed, truth is stranger than fiction, and such is the case here. And because the film’s protagonist seeks to be enveloped by nature, we get many beautiful scenes of the actual shooting locations in Alaska, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, South Dakota and Mexico. The film’s wildlife photography is also stunning.

While witnessing this communion with nature and its struggles, we are reminded of “Cast Away” (2000), except Emile Hirsch’s character chooses his solitude, and Tom Hanks’s character doesn’t.

“Into the Wild” has some interesting touches, such as original songs by Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder. And in one curious moment, actor Emile Hirsch “breaks the fourth wall” by looking into the camera (which isn’t supposed to be there) and makes a silly face at us. There is also an instance where the screen divides into thirds, somewhat reminiscent of Abel Gance’s “Polyvision” work in “Napoleon” (1927).

In one subtle but effective scene, we see Chris walking on the rocks at the top of a waterfall. But because the camera only shows us from his knees up, we are very uneasy about his footing and where he’s stepping. And for yet another exceptional filmmaking moment, watch for the payphone/quarter scene ... amazing.

“Into the Wild” is a beautiful film, not just aesthetically, but also idealistically. It should appeal to and inspire any soul-searcher or dream-chaser. What an incredible story.

Directed by Sean Penn
Emile Hirsch / William Hurt / Vince Vaughn
140 min. Drama / Biography
MPPA: R (for language and some nudity)

Copyright 2007. 213