Different Levels

Rating: 7/10 (16 March 2008)

So let's start with my original thought. That here is this kid..who has money growing up..never wants for anything. Yet he abandons it, to live independently and free of materialism. OK..admirable..yes..but like some other comments I have read on here, What were the parents real sins? They were flawed? They had a bad marriage...They did not disclose everything to their kids? Hmm..sounds about like 95pct of the world's parents. I am still a relatively young man and it irks me the idea that generations are entitled to have chips on their shoulder about the way they were raised. Like it is some kind of war they fought and now they want the medal. I am sure there is kid in some project tenement building who is living under the same conditions that this kid volunteered for. Perhaps suffering abuse every day, verbal and physical. Maybe one day this kid gets a break..goes to college and becomes something. Hey..now that is a story for me. "Into Reality" I will call it. I could not generate any sympathy for this kid..no matter how I tried. Now..i Rated this a 7 cause there were some very wonderful moments in this movie. First and foremost, In a movie about individualism and being a free spirit, the most powerful parts of the movie involved the characters he met along the way. From Keener to Vaughn to especially they young singer he befriended. They all came across so convincing as people who were genuinely touched by this young man and were all the worse off when he left them. Hal Holbrook in a small role with mostly body language and facial expressions had me remembering people in my life..who want to hold on to you even though they know they can't. Overall..in this day and age, to see a kid who could go off and do whatever he wants but chooses this..to me..that is a story worth telling. The kid was obviously different and different is refreshing. Great soundtrack, great acting by all involved, a bit long and William Hurt was underused but believe me, at times you will be asking...why is making his parents suffer so much. I am a parent..and for the parents out there..not knowing where your child is..whether he is 8 or 18...is not something to shrug off as a subplot...Penn had the right idea here..and he did well, but it was a bit one sided and made it appear like the kid was petulant and self indulgent instead of just Thoreauesque.