"Into the Wild" **** (out of ****)So many times I try to make the case, don't judge films harshly just because you disagree with their ideas. Judge films on how well they executes those ideas. Sean Penn's "Into the Wild" is such a film for me. I disagree with everything the films presents. Every idea suggested in the film goes against what I believe in, but, there's no way to deny it is a beautifully told story.
Based on a true story written by Jon Krakauer and adapted to the screen by Penn, the film follows a foolish, Liberal idealist who is tired of living in a, what he calls, "sick society". He is a recent college graduate and has decided after four years of working hard in school he wants to drop out of society. He wants to go into the wild and be one with nature.
The idealist is Chris McCandless (Emile Hirsch). He comes from a well to do family. On the day of graduation his parents; Billie (Marcia Gay Harden) and Walt (William Hurt) tell him they are going to buy him a new car. They are willing to help him get into Harvard Law. But Chris wants none of it. He feels the life his parents lead is boring. Living and working everyday, dependent on things such as money and their jobs, equals no life at all. So, without telling anyone, he disappears and heads off to Alaska.
Sometimes films are such a strong reflection of their directors the viewer begins to assume it is autobiographical. While the film is based on someone else's life, we get the feeling Sean Penn feels the same way about society. Penn is a very intense actor and stories suggest an intense person in real life. Labeled by some as an American bashing far-left Liberal nut, he has done some things out of the ordinary, like going to Iraq to report the news.
"Into the Wild" has a slow deliberate pace. The film recalls the idealist Liberal spirit of cinema from the 1960s shown in films such as "Easy Rider" and "Midnight Cowboy". Like "Easy Rider" it is about "lost souls" hitting the road in an attempt to "find" themselves. It also brings to mind the work of German filmmaker Werner Herzog, who has repeatedly made films about man versus nature. In fact, the cinematic response to "Into the Wild" would be Herzog's "Grizzly Man".
"Into the Wild" suggests nature is beautiful. People should live off the land. The film endorses Chris' irrational behavior. There is beauty to see in the world around us. "Grizzly Man" told us, nature is evil. Humans should leave it alone and let nature take its course. When another foolish, idealist Liberal in that film tries to live among grizzly bears, they eat him alive. It too was based on a true story.
But nevertheless the film has a lyrical quality to it. Some of Penn's shots go on a bit too long, that was the point. The film is trying to make the viewer become one with nature with its lingering shots of empty plains and rivers. And Emile Hirsch's performance carries the entire film. Very impressive for such a young actor working with much more seasoned actors; Harden, Hurt and Hal Holbrook.
Sean Penn, who has directed quite a few films already, including "The Crossing Guard" and "The Pledge", may never direct a better film. He seems to have found a story which he deeply cares about. A film which expresses his view of the world. When a director finds a story like that and he's able to reflect that on-screen the viewer can not help but keep their eyes glued to the screen.
"Into the Wild" was nominated for two Oscars; "Best Supporting Actor" and "Best Editing". Emile Hirsch won the National Board of Review award for "Best Breakthrough Performance".
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