Truly a journey!

Rating: 9/10 (3 May 2020)

I think if you keep aside the fact that "practically", there are "flaws" here, right..like the plausibility of things and how he could have died much earlier actually and how he just walks off and how the whole childhood track was not well etched out etc., keep that aside, and its truly a phenomenal journey. I have been on a few "trips" earlier and nothing on the wild side, yet the emotions when it comes to him meeting so many people and making those connections, which end up being connections for life, really resonated with me. In the end he writes "Happiness is only real when shared". I thought that was absolutely a fitting end. I 100% think this is a must watch kinda movie despite its obvious flaws and left me happy, excited and sad and thus experience a range of emotions and took me on the journey with it. I love it and HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend it.
5 moments I loved
1. I loved the scene towards the beginning where Emile is talking to that apple. Haha, that was crazy good cuz it actually felt like a BTS but they just decided to keep it since it was so fresh and raw (he actually punches the camera) - I laughed out loud during that. The point is that Emile IS Chris / Alex. He has done an incredible job and not for a second did I feel he was acting. It was beautiful and here I felt it was credit to Emile because he uplifts the movie in every scene and you just cant get enough of him even though Sean's direction isn't outstanding (I felt)
2. Absolutely loved the Ron track. The scene with him in the car crying could've felt like a gimmick and just to get tears but it felt so real. I absolutely loved it. Even when he climbs up the mountain and the first thing he says is "I'm really gonna miss you when you're gone". When he said the adoption thing, I broke down too. Also loved how Chris never goes outta character and remains "lets talk about this when I am back" truly living the philosophy of how human relationships aren't the only key to living and happiness.
3. I loved the part with the Rapids, when he asks and there's a 14 year waitlist and he jumps in - again, plausible? yes / no? he was scared of water? blah blah, dont get logic into it, and it was magical. Shot beautifully and really truly visually a TREAT to the senses. Whattay. Can watch it a 100 more times.
4. The moose scene. Man this was disturbing AF tbh and I think Ive decided to become vegetarian considering how graphic it was - ugh, but again, kudos to the direction here. It was meant to be raw, we got raw. but fucking amazing scene. Also what he writes in his journal post that. Also loved the idea of the one sentence journal a LOT. And the handwriting is too cute.
5. Loved the scene where Jena tells her about Reno and then Kristen calls em for dinner and he goes back to Jena to say he will sit with her all night. I felt a crazy chemistry between Chris and Jena from the very beginning - every scene they were in together - and yet in a platonic way where she really is so so so affectionate about him - till the last scene where she gives him the cap and cant hug her. Phenomenal. The chemistry oozed out of the screen man.
What could have been better?
1. I thought the family scenes werent well etched out and felt unnecessary or could have been told in a better way
2. The Kristen angle - Idk if its cuz I dont like Kristen or what but this track didnt do much for me. I'll tell ya what I loved though - its absolutely refreshing how they didnt show him havin a fling or "fallin in love" - haha I guess thats the difference between a hollywood travel story vs a bollywood ranbir kapoor ilahi kinda story. Plus how the Kristen angle is one sided. Very realistic. Kudos. LOVED this in that way.
3. The end - idk one is the logic of it, like he should've researched more ? But then forget that, maybe its a fitting end that he dies in the bus. Really loved that.
Ah so maybe all the could've been betters are also just backhanded compliments :)
Well - this movie did it for me man. Also last thing - LOVED the soundtrack. LOVED the fonts in the words that'd come on screen. FAB FAB FAB movie. Full marks yo. WATCH.