Film Review: Into the Wild

Director: Sean Penn

Based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Jon Krakauer, it follows the nomadic travels of Christopher McCandless as he travelled around North America slowly preparing for his trip to live off the land in Alaska. The book is a great read and worth looking at before the film but that's not to say the film doesn't do it justice. Into the Wild came after two other directing successes for Sean Penn and certainly proves to be a directing masterpiece if only for the stunning shots of the Alaskan wilderness.

Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch) in front of the bus which he called home in Alaska

The story follows the real life adventures of Christopher McCandless, or Alexander Supertramp to use the name he gives himself, (the excellent Emile Hirsch) who after graduating decides not to follow his career path to Harvard Law and sends all his savings money to OXFAM claiming he won't need it anymore. He then embarks on a trip around American whilst preparing for his ultimate destination: Alaska where he will live off the land miles from anyone and enjoy the solitude. Along the way he makes quite a few friends despite his strange outlook on life and hippyish looks before finally arriving hugely unprepared and naive about the challenge in front of him in Alaska.
French cameraman Eric Gautier is also due a lot of credit for his filming of the journey that McCandless takes that not only includes Alaska but a kayaking trip through California down into Mexico with some stunning views of the canyons. Emile Hirsch is brilliant and convincing as the awkward nomad on his travels, the scale of the weight loss needed for the filming of McCandless in Alaska in winter is phenomenal and probably hugely damaging to his health. There is also a good turn by Vince Vaughn as Wayne Westerburg, a wheat farmer in South Dakota who gives Chris a job on the farm.

Stunning Alaskan wilderness

Added to the visuals is the atmospheric bluesy soundtrack written and recorded by Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder which also helps to superbly capture the mood. It could be easy to dislike McCandless' outlook on life and to criticize him as a free-loader taking money from good people when he gave his own money away but this certainly isn't the case. It is a lesson in stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing people you might normally shy away from.

I can only recommend this film but only after you've read the book first

3.5/4 stunning visuals and a bitter sweet story