Best movie I've seen in a long time

Rating: 8/10 (14 October 2007)

Could have shaved 45 minutes with no lack of message but through time you learned why he put himself through all this. McCandless an idealist because of necessity, not choice---because of family background. Very brave individual but as intelligent as he was in real life, he did not research or plan for Alaska thoroughly enough. McCandless searching and found the answer to happiness (you'll find out in movie) and wrote it in his log, after it was too late to escape wilderness.
Academy award nominations for Hirsch, Holbrook (supporting) and Penn (screenplay.) Hirsch very good choice for lead----his own youth and on-screen, wide-eyed innocence added much to the movie! Holbrook's age, experience and acting ability made the scenes he and Hirsch shared memorable. I did not read the book prior to the movie but will.
Note: Sad point not addressed in movie is the fact that McCandless could have escaped over "the river" by simply walking 1/4 mile south of where he crossed in the beginning by using built-in cable cross!!!!! Don't know why Penn did not address that in movie. It would have had a great impact. Otherwise, very moving---tears in audience. Movie a reflection of true life----goodness and purity of heart means nothing when it comes to survival, especially survival of the fittest. Reflect and learn.