A tale of nonconformity and materialism

Rating: 8/10 (5 June 2017)

"Into The Wild" is a wonderful meditation on the joys of living a simpler kind of life. The protagonist is a purehearted individual; an idealist in the truest sense of the word. He is very self-aware of his blessings and the privileges that he enjoys. So much so that he finally decided to pursue his ultimate goal; escaping the materialistic society that he loathes so much. Far away into the Alaskan wilderness.
As the movie progresses we learn of his previous experiences and get a better understanding of his motives. But what makes this story so sad is the fact that its stark portrayal of the events is based on a true story.
McCandless' rejection of conformity and materialism served only one purpose; to help him discover the things in life that are truly authentic. And although this endeavor ended in what many might perceive as a failure, I think it was a rather heroic act.