True freedom

Rating: 8/10 (20 December 2008)

Give this film a chance and be patient...
When I first zapped through this film a bit to see what it was like, I had the feeling I would not like it, could not identify with it's characters and it was portraying the main character, the adventurous, reckless Chris, as "good" (basically telling me, who is just watching a film sitting on my chair, is "bad" because I am so unlike him).
Fortunately, the film does not judge, which is why it's so powerful. There are a lot of emotions from people and a lot of questions asked, but there is no winner or loser, no one is right or wrong, no definitive answer. Of course people do not need movies to think but this one poses questions that few would ask themselves ever. We take a lot of things for granted when it comes down to choosing a path in life. Study, career, family, they seem rather unavoidable.
Chris chooses to get away from all this and finds true freedom, with a price. He is no hero, but by god, does he have the courage to let go of the life as it was mapped out for him! A lot of us don't.
I don't think the film is beautiful because of the scenery, it's the acting, the emotional richness and the very relevant philosophical questions it poses. I am not going to change my whole life because of it, but am more aware of the traps it can have if I stick too much to the familiar path.