Into the Wild

About halfway through the film, I started thinking about the reviews I'd read and how there was criticism regarding the portrayal of Chris/Alex and his family. Primarily, critics either vilified the parents for driving him to this irrational fate, or skewered his own personal character for alienating everyone in his life and ultimately hurting them all.

I saw neither in the film. It was a heartfelt recount of an innocent and passionate young man who only wanted to find truth and meaning in life. Clearly influenced by the allure of solidarity and bonding with nature via London or Kerouac, he sets off for an adventure without the constraints of material things or interpersonal relationships. Along the way, he makes friends then abruptly leaves them. He works a few odd jobs, but only as a purely sociological experiment and to save up enough to make his way to Fairbanks, Alaska and buy the necessary supplies for his survival quest into the Yukon.

The emphasis of the film is on the carefree journey, escaping the rat race and bucking the system. It could have gone down a much different path from a cinematic standpoint, but Sean Penn does a great job of managing the story so that the viewer believes in the journey for its beauty and spirit.

Although a little on the long side at nearly 3 hours, the adventure is accompanied by refreshingly melodic music by Eddie Vedder, and fortunately for the viewer there is not much time spent on the back story or the aftermath.

Some may say he was crazy to abandon his future for a 2 year hiatus. I say he was following his heart and found his nirvana. Chris makes a crucial realization when his demise is near, and it is almost heartbreaking to see him die, but it was inevitable, and was the only way that this story could end with dignity. Not to call him a martyr, but there is something beautiful about the story. Overall I was moved by this film, and enjoyed the introspection that it inspired. 9/10.