Into the Wild is a good (but flawed) film written and directed by Sean Penn and based on real events. The acting, cinematography, and writing are all first-rate. The film is gorgeous to look at and, despite some pacing problems, becomes a genuine film that deeply affects viewers. It can be looked at simply as a film about the harshness and nature through the eyes of a bright young man coming of age. His motivations remain up for debate, but his journey is both inspiring and dangerous, a harsh reminder of how little we truly understand about nature.
Into the Wild concerns an extremely bright and affluent young man named Christopher McCandless who, after graduating from Emory University, gives his life savings to charity and sets off alone to live in the Alaskan Wilderness. He doesn’t phone his parents or sister (one of my problems with the character was his selfishness, or at the very least his indifference to the pain he caused his loved ones) and meets various colorful characters on his trip to Alaska, including Catherine Keener as a hippie, Vince Vaughn, and Hal Holbrook (in a warm, wonderful turn) as a lonely widow who tries to give Christopher some sound advice. Emile Hirsch is charismatic and understated as McCandless, never pushing too hard, even when the film threatens to turn McCandless into a heroic figure. All the hero worship along with the runtime wore me down, but overall, it’s quite a good film, well worth your time.
Into the Wild comes as a 2 DVD set and the widescreen transfer is vivid and gorgeous. The beautiful photography really pops off your screen and the sound is also excellent. The second DVD has some very good extras. My only problem is that I wish the extras were longer. The first featurette is around 20 minutes of insightful interviews with actors and writer/director Sean Penn. Another 17 minute featurette gives us a more in-depth look at the filmmaking process. You also get the trailer. I was hoping for more extras, considering that it’s a 2 DVD set, but I was pleased with the extras I got.
Into the Wild is a fascinating, if overlong film. It’s got a wonderful performance by Emile Hirsch and a memorable one from Hal Holbrook. The music from Eddie Vedder is gorgeous and haunting. With a few trims here and there, this could have been a very good film. As it stands, it’s just a good one, but one I highly recommend even as it is.
Film Grade:Â B
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