Into the Wild - DVD

How many times have you felt like leaving society behind? Most of us fear leaving the confines of the everyday world. Our routine is what keeps us safe and taking chances are few and far between. Some might say that people who live without a care in the world are foolish and lazy. How can you go through life not caring about money, shelter, food, or human connection?

Into The Wild is the true story (written by Jon Krakauer) of Christopher Mccandless (Emile Hirsch), a college graduate who decides to leave the world he’s known for a life in the Alaskan wilderness. This is a gripping story that quickly blooms in to something else entirely. Emile reminds me of a young Leonardo DiCaprio. His defiant charm and confidence really opens your eyes to a world we never see. There are several layers at work here, which I don’t want to dissect but unfold nicely. Along the way he encounters some very interesting and beautiful characters. Catherine Keener is the middle aged hippie chick that longs for her son. Kristen Stewart is that young, wide-eyed soul looking for love. Hal Holbrook is the widowed elderly man longing for a final chance at a family. What Chris does along the journey is touch others. He opens their eyes to something special and in turn, they want him to abandon his quest and stay. Unfortunately, Chris is too focused to find his life in the Alaskan wild. Chris’ parents, played by William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden (amazing actress), have given their boy a life that may seem ordinary to some. But sadly his family is full of secrets, inconsistencies and a lack of genuine love (or so one would think)

This is fantastic story with great performances from Emile and the supporting cast. The soundtrack with songs from Eddie Veder, fit so well into the story and really bring this voyage to life. I do have some issues with the movie though. At 2.5 hours, the film is a little long. Into the Wild is directed by Sean Penn and for the most part he sticks to telling the story. Although at times, he gets a little pretentious with some shots and scenes. I feel that I would need to read the book to do this story justice but this film is quite good. Rent This: B+