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Sean Penn’s Into the Wild is one of the most intriguing movies of 2007. The film is based on the true story of Christopher McCandless a free thinking individual who rejects everything for the promise of complete freedom. McCandless embodies the concept of the “free spirit” rejecting everything from family contact to even the formation of lasting relationships. McCandless’ journey would lead him through deserts, rivers, hippie camps, nudist colonies, and all the way to the treacherous but beautiful environs of Alaska.

Sean Penn does an amazing job of directing this film. The screen is filled with beautiful imagery and the story is told in a non-traditional way as Penn ditches the conventional linear storyline for a wonderful blend of present events and flashbacks. Some of the scenes in the film are awe-inspiring and Penn manages to capture the feeling of freedom that McCandless must have been intoxicated by, even in such mundane settings as a train car or on the back of a combine cutting down hay. The one flaw in Penn’s work is the excessive length of the movie. The film begins to drag after the hour and half mark and one wishes that the film would get to the eventual and inevitable conclusion. Other than the length, Penn’s film is almost flawless aided by the peerless cinematography of Eric Gautier.

The acting in the film is excellent for the most part. All of the supporting characters are perfectly cast and Emile Hirsch (Speed Racer, Alpha Dog) isn’t bad as Christopher McCandless… even though he does come off as a spoiled, ignorant dreamer in a few scenes. William Hurt (Mr. Brooks, A History of Violence) is amazing as McCandless’ father and Marcia Gay Harden (The Mist, Pollock) is perfect as his mother. Hal Holbrook (The Firm, Wall Street) and Brian H. Dierker threaten to steal the show with some solid performances that give the movie a rich texture that would have been lacking if not for the quality of their performances. It is through these characters that the real meaning of the film is achieved, as McCandless is sort of a static character that is both mysterious and wonderful… sort of like an anti-society Jesus wandering around America spreading his own special brand of madness.

The writing in the film is exceptional. Some of the narration is musical in nature and the story feels like poetry the way it’s blended together. Every shot has a meaning. Every shot has a purpose and the film feels deep because of it. I only wish they had spent a little more time exploring the philosophy of McCandless instead of trying to find the reasoning behind it.

Into the Wild is a film that comes close to perfection but crumples slightly under its own weight. The import and meaning of the film becomes lost amid all of the beautiful scenery, great characters, and McCandless’ own static nature. It’s still an enjoyable ride, and with a little tweaking, it could have been a perfect movie.

Final Synopsis: Into the Wild is definitely worth seeing. It’s not the most exciting thing in the world and it exists as a piece of poetry that tells the epic tale of a modern day adventurer who eschews the trappings of society for the chance at absolute freedom. Give it a rent if you can handle slower drama, complex thoughts, and lots of languorous imagery.

Points Lost: -1 for being a little too long, -1 for focusing a little too much on the reasons behind McCandless’ rebellion and not the philosophy behind the direction he went, which makes the character feel like a spoiled brat at times

Lesson Learned: Always carry a tiny inflatable raft with you if you’re going to go live in the wild.

Burning Question: How much of this work is fictional?

Into the Wild
8/10

Tags: 2007, drama, emile hirsch, hal holbrook, hippies, jena malone, kristen stewart, latest movie reviews, marcia gay harden, nudist colony, recent, sean penn, vince vaughn, william hurt