Beautiful film by Sean Penn. Excellent performances and a great story.

Rating: 9/10 (28 November 2008)

Into the Wild is the heartbreaking story of a young man, fed up with society and his parents hypocrisies, who decides to make it on his own with nothing but the clothes on his back. Based on the true story and book by Joe Krakauer, Sean Penn adapted the screenplay and directed this lovely film. Sean Penn, who has proved over and over that he is an excellent actor, proves here that he also has talent in the directing area. Into the Wild is a great film and it does, in my book, rank up with some of the best of 2007. The acting here is wonderful all around and there is obviously much heart in the film. It's something I'd recommend to both film buffs and the average moviegoer. Into the Wild truly is a beautiful film that has something for everyone.
Chris McCandless (Emile Hirsch), a recent graduate of Emory University, is fed up with his parents (played by Marcia Gay Harden and William Hurt). They are too concerned with material items. They haven't really loved each other for years. They've lied to their children about their past. Chris is tired of it. Instead of coming home, he decides to get the most out of life by backpacking through the country. His destination is Alaska, where he plans to live off of the land, just be "in the wild." Chris changes his name to Alex Supertramp and begins his journey. The film is narrated by Chris' sister Carine (Jena Malone) and by his own journal writings. Carine, who still lives with their parents, gives insight into their past, telling what happened to make Chris feel like he did. His journal writings provide insight into his adventures in the wild, such as how he eats, how he feels, and every thought in his mind. The film also shows his journey to the wild, which include paddling down a dangerous river illegally, meeting a hippie couple and spending some time with them, and hitching rides on open train cars.
The acting here is superb, especially by Emile Hirsch in the lead role. This young actor has a lot of potential. I've thought that since his outstanding performance in the weak Alpha Dog a few years back. This is new heights for him, though. He plays Chris in a way that makes the audience feel for him and genuinely like him as a person. It's a great portrayal. Other highlights include Catherine Keener and Brian H. Dierker as a hippie couple, Vince Vaughn in a role unlike anything I've ever seen him play, and Kristen Stewart in a small role as a girl Chris meets along his journey. It's an excellent cast and no one seems out of place here.
The only problem I have with Into the Wild is a minor one. The film seems to drag on for quite awhile longer than it really should have. Its two and a half hour running time may have been cut down by about fifteen minutes pretty easily. That would have also tightened the film up quite a bit, making it perhaps even better than it is. This is a small complaint, though, and barely takes anything away from this wonderful film.
Sean Penn obviously has a bright future in directing. This is not his first time directing, and hopefully will not be his last. He seems to be able to get the best out actors and the emotion conveyed in the film seems very genuine and real. It's obvious in watching the film that Penn has a real passion for what he was trying to do with it. With excellent performances and beautiful scenes, Into the Wild is easily becoming one of my favorite movies of 2007. It is an excellent character study and, whether or not you know the true story of Chris McCandless, it is a rewarding experience and a two and a half hours well spent.
9/10