Into the Wild (2007)
Our Rating:
Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Sean Penn is back at the director’s helm for this tale about a young man who gives up everything he has to be a drifter. Based on the book by Jon Krakauer which he based on Christopher McCandless’ diary entries the film follows McDandless(Emile Hirsch) on a spiritual journey that eventually leads him to Alaska.
McCandless has just graduated from Emory University as one of the top students and athletes. He has $24,000 in the bank for graduate school and is on his way to a rich life. Then suddenly he donates his money to a charity and cuts up his id and heads west never looking back. He gives up his family, relationships, and all his obligations. His eventual aim is to head to Alaska, but along the way he takes some side journeys for some self exploration and meets some friends. When he does make it to Alaska, he thinks he has it made and then something he did not plan for happens leaving him up in the air without many solutions.
Sean Penn crafted a beautiful screenplay here. He takes some journal like source material and gives it a nice heartwarming transfer to the visual form. The shots are pretty much all beautiful, I mean when you are shooting in Alaska and the Grand Canyon it really helps out but even the shots on the trains and inserts are well thought out and put together well. The acting is what puts this movie on the map. The supporting cast is excellent and Emile Hirsch is downright perfect for this role. I cannot believe that he hasn’t gained more attention for it. He changes his appearance so much for the role not to mention the emotional changes he endures. The sense of freedom you get just watching him do anything that he wants makes you want to go out and do it too. But I would watch the movie first just so you know not to cross that certain river in Alaska. Did I say too much?
Posted in J.C., Movies, Reviews, Scripts by J.C. 
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