Emotional Roller-coaster

Rating: 6/10 (19 May 2013)

Into The Wild showcases Sean Penn's talent for film-making, taking the spectator on an emotional journey into the true-story life of Chris McCandless. I decided to watch this film after hearing great things about it, and for the most part, loved it.
Whilst McCandless's motives for leaving society and his family behind as he embarks on his adventures seem reasonable and understandable, you soon come to realise that his actions are essentially selfish and unfounded. His loving sister with whom he shares a close relationship is left out of the loop. You being to sympathise with even his parents, who are essentially to blame for McCandless's alienation.
By the time I had finished watching, I was angry. Angry for the people that McCandless left carelessly on the roadside of his life; angry for his purely selfish motives in choosing to disengage entirely from his family; and angry that I had been duped into thinking the story had a happy ending.
True stories rarely have a happy ending, and Into The Wild is no exception. I am torn with what to make of it, never has a film taken me on such an emotional journey, and left me feeling totally dejected at its outcome.
I recommend it, but at the same time I hate it. A brilliantly despairing film, entire into it with expectations, and prepare to have them shattered.