Modern and human

Rating: 9/10 (31 August 2010)

I'd heard some good things about this movie, as a matter of fact, a LOT of good things, but I was never ready to watch it. I ended up finding it at a pawn shop for a few bucks, watched it, and was thoroughly impressed. I could easily watch this one more than once.
Based on a true story, with permission from Chris McCandless' (Emile Hirsch) family, Sean Penn writes and directs a story about a young man trying to figure out life. Seems like more and more Americans are doing the same thing no matter their age, so Penn has a story that several generations can relate too.
Chris leaves home after graduating college, tells no one where he's going, and leaves or destroys all his personal belongings along the way – except what he needs to survive. Making his way out west with only his backpack, he has many great "human" adventures along the way to his final destination, Alaska. His human connections are fantastic because he is truly connecting with the people he meets. There are no issues about time, money or social standings. The people he meets along the way are as true and rich in character as he is.
This is not a feel-good movie, this is a thought-provoking movie that will really have you questioning your personal lifestyle and what it really means to be human. Young Hirsch is completely believable and I'm seeing a few Oscars in his future. Gwen Bishop