Joe Barber Reviews “INTO THE WILD”

by Joe Barber on Oct.12, 2007, under Joe Barber's Movie Reviews

The struggle to find one’s own path and separate from the seeming truths you grew up with is the journey at the heart of Sean Penn’s beautiful and harrowing new film, “Into The Wild.” Based on the best selling book by John Krakauer that told the true story of Christopher McCandless. Centered by a superb performance by relative newcomer Emile Hirsch as Chris, this is a beautiful looking and deeply moving tale that celebrates and explores the joys and dangers of the freedom offered by the open road.

After graduating with honors from Emory University, Chris told his parents and sister he would take some time off during the summer before starting law school in the fall. While his family thinks he’s packing up his things and heading home to Virginia before the fall, Chris actually begins abandoning the trappings of his upper middle class life. He gives his law school money and trust fund to charity. He sells the furniture in his apartment.and gives away the money. He drives his car as far West as he can, the abandons it in Arizona when it gives out, removing all imaterial in the vehicle that might identify him.

Taking with him only the items he can carry on his back, Chris begins an extended road trip, traveling from place to place, taking jobs whenever he needs some money but only for short periods of time. Taking the name Alexander Supertramp, Chris moves through the Western U.S., down to Mexico and back. All the while, he writes in a journal about his travels and his search for a certain kind of purity and honesty in life. Rejecting his parent’s values and holding them accountable for the lies they told the he believes poisoned their home, Chris/Alex prepares himself for his ultimate journey, to live in the Alaskan wilderness fully on his own.

Working as both director and screenwriter, Penn takes his time in weaving the various threads of this complex and intriguing tale into a fascinating film. He tells McCandless’s story from a variety of perspectives, including having Hirsch read portions of Chris’s journal, as well as passages outlining the family dynamics, read by Jena Malone, who plays McCandless’s sister, Carrine.

Penn’s script is unsparring in its honesty. While we learn about the internal deceptions and compromises that caused his family so much pain , we also begin to appreciate the stubbornness and unwillingness on Chris’ part that sometimes leads him into danger and foolish choices. The typical anger and easily judgemental nature of youth is present, but, as his journey continues, the ability to grow and the potential for depth begin to show themselves.

Credit director Penn for finding actors who have the skill to share all sides of the story. Hirsch is excellent as Chris/Alex. He manages to engafge both those he meets and all of us watching his story unfold while standing up for his ideals and goals. He makes you like and care about this young man whether you think he’s right or wrong. Strong supporting work is done here by William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden as the parents, Malone and Viince Vaughn, Catherine Keener and Hal Holbrook as some of the significant people Chris meets on his oddessy. The movie’s cinematography brilliantly captures the beauty and dangers of the places McCandless traveled.

This is a journey of the mind, body and soul that quietly engages you while offering the thoughts and fellings of its hero for your judgment. An exploration of a life cut too short by courage or foolhardiness, “Into The Wild” really does take you places you might never go. Buy a ticket and take the trip.

MPAA RATING: R for profanity, mild violence, nudity and drug content. JOE’S RATING: THREE AND A HALF STARS.