Will make you think

Rating: Null/10 (31 October 2009)

Finally had a chance to watch the critically claimed Into The Wild.I kinda liked it but I also have mixed feelings regarding the story and the way it has been told.The movie which is based on real events,tells the story of Chris McCandless,played by Emile Hirch, a college graduate who rebels against society and its restrictions and despite having great grades,instead of enrolling in an university, donates his savings to charity and decides to live in the wild.His final destination is Alaska and along the way Chris meets a series of characters who shape his life.Some of them also learn from Chris and gain a new perspective on life.Its interesting to watch Chris's adventure but I would have liked to learn more about his beliefs and motivations.At some point in the movie Chris speaks about society and people in general,giving his opinion and discussing certain aspects of life and that was one of the most interesting scenes. That should have been explored a bit more so that as a viewer we could really understand what was going on trough his head and where he was coming from.We're told that his parents relationship which he considered fake was one of the reasons that led to his rebellion, he just didn't understand all the lies and became frustrated but it could not be just that, Chris had to have some very strong views about society otherwise he wouldn't just abandon everything and that's what I think would be interesting to know. Another complaint I have is, at some point in his journey Chris meets Tracy Tatro,played by Kristin Stewart, and they become very close(or so it seems).When Tracy gives the indication that she wants to sleep with Chris, he says he can't do it because she's a minor and it is against the law.Here we have someone that is rebelling against society and who is all about freedom and enjoying life, and when it comes to the most natural act between two people that love each other,sex, he refuses to do it because of the law? Something that society created? I just thought it was completely out of character.Apparently the real Chris and Tracy weren't atracted to each other but if Sean Penn is going to make it look like that he should at least make the scene consistent with the character's beliefs.Having said that, the film is beautifully shot,Emile Hirsch is great as Chris and so is Hal Holbrook as Ron Franz, one of the characters Christ meets in his journey and probably the most memorable one.I didn't love the soundtrack but I can't deny it suits the movie.Into The Wild is a film that really makes you think about your life,about happiness and its meaning,about our "journey" on earth and its a film that deserves to be watched.
7.5/10