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Product Description: This is the true story of Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch). Freshly graduated from college with a promising future ahead McCandless instead walked out of his privileged life and into the wild in search of adventure. What happened to him on the way transformed this young wanderer into an enduring symbol for countless people -- a fearless risk-taker who wrestled with the precarious balance between man and nature.System Requirements:Running Time: 148 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE/COMING OF AGE Rating: R UPC: 097363481249 Manufacturer No: 348124Amazon.com: A superb cast and an even-handed treatment of a true story buoy Into the Wild, Sean Penn's screen adaptation of Jon Krakauer's bestselling book. Emile Hirsch stars as Christopher McCandless, scion of a prosperous but troubled family who, after graduating from Atlanta's Emory University in the early 1990s, decides to chuck it all and become a self-styled "aesthetic voyager" in search of "ultimate freedom." He certainly doesn't do it halfway: after donating his substantial savings account to charity and literally torching the rest of his cash, McCandless changes his name (to "Alexander Supertramp"), abandons his family (William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden as his bickering, clueless parents and Jena Malone as his baffled but loving sister, who relates much of the backstory in voice-over), and hits the road, bound for the Alaskan bush and determined not to be found. For the next two years he lives the life of a vagabond, working a few odd jobs, kayaking through the Grand Canyon into Mexico, landing on L.A.'s Skid Row, and turning his back on everyone who tried to befriends him (including Catherine Keener and Brian Dierker as two kindly, middle-aged hippies and Hal Holbrook in a deeply affecting performance as an old widower who tries to take "Alex" under his wing). Penn, who directed and wrote the screenplay, alternates these interludes with scenes depicting McCandless' Alaskan idyll--which soon turns out be not so idyllic after all. Settling into an abandoned school bus, he manages to sustain himself for a while, shooting small game (and one very large moose), reading, and recording his existential musings on paper. But when the harsh realities of life in the wilderness set in, our boy finds himself well out of his depth, not just ill-prepared for the rigors of day to day survival but realizing the importance of the very thing he wanted to escape--namely, human relationships. It'd be easy to either idealize McCandless as a genuinely free spirit, unencumbered by the societal strictures that tie the rest of us down, or else dismiss him as a hopelessly callow naïf, a fool whose disdain for practical realities ultimately doomed him. Into the Wild does neither, for the most part telling the tale with an admirable lack of cheap sentiment and leaving us to decide for ourselves. --Sam Graham
Customer Reviews:
- Sean Penn succeeds; Fascinating study: Even at 2½ hours, this film commands attention, thanks largely to the care and vision of director/screenwriter Sean Penn. Despite his checkered past in Hollywood (bad-boy image, married to Madonna, etc.), I've been a fan since his directorial debut, "The Indian Runner", introducing the world to Viggo Mortenson. Smart move; great film. There is little I can say that hasn't been said. The episodic nature of the narrative is a good thing; Mr. McCandless certainly found the adventure he was seeking, and his reflections and flashbacks fill in most of the holes. It's brilliantly acted, and the top-notch cast, most relegated to short screen time, fulfill the requirements. Most impressive of all is the focused, centered and determined performance of Emile Hirsch. There's not a glitch in the committment of his character. His resemblance to Leo di Caprio is profound. Certainly, everyone thinks, at one time, to get away from it all. Mr. McCandless certainly had that idea, and ran with it. Unfortunately, it wasn't well imagined for him, and his dream was not fruitful.Some might think that re-imagining yourself would be productive, but there are too many factors involved that must be considered: love, memories, friends, accountability; it's presented well, and non-judgmental. A true adventure; alas, no heroes.
- Incredible story.: Having lost a young adventurous cousin (Donald Charles Williams) in the mountains of Arizona while he was on a camping trip (he was murdered, and to date, his killer has not been found), this movie had special meaning to me. The young often go on 'seeking' quests, full of the normal human debates going on inside them, often urging them 'into the wild'. I believe that if Chris McCandless had lived through his Alaska adventure he would have come back with new wisdom that helped him grasp the fact that his parents were imperfect humans doing the same juggling act with struggles we all encounter in life in one form or another. I also believe he forgave them for their imperfections. It's heartbreaking to watch this movie, but I was so touched by it that I thank the family for allowing it to be told. It must have been very painful for them. Penn did an excellent job of adapting Krakauer's book by the same name.
Chrissy K. McVay
Author of 'Souls of the North Wind' - Into the ild. The Movie: Wow. A great performance by Emile Hirsch. picked up the movie because i couldnt find anything else. then it became one of my favorites instantly. I dont read books....ever. but i actually read the book after watching the movie. 5 stars
- The end result of impractical idealism: *alert* Filled with spoiler potential *alert*
Portions of Into the Wild were beautiful. The natural landscapes and odd characters were often compelling. However, the end of the movie was ruinous and unappealing. Into the Wild is not a story of hope, transcendence, or overcoming. It is, instead, a story of failure.
I'm sure many viewers will be able to relate to the main character's need to explore himself and the world around him. Emile Hirsch plays Chris McCandless very well. However, I question the logic of glorifying a life filled with what I consider bad choices. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned here. I will let you the viewer decide for yourself. Be aware before you decide to spend a few hours with this movie that there is no fairy tale ending.
Nature can be cruel and Alaska is wild. McCandless saw, heard, felt and tasted things many of us will never experience. Is that admirable? Decide for yourself. - Dull: This is just my opinion, a priviledged kid quite possibly suffers from a mental disorder, reads a book on wild berries and which ones will kill you after he makes and eats his all natural trail mix. Oh my gosh was this movie boring. I normally like documentaries or movies based on real life experiences but this was just long and boring. If you suffer from insomnia buy this movie but if not I would skip it.
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