An inspirational piece of work.

Rating: 9/10 (19 June 2008)

Sean Penn, one of the finest actors of this decade, has put together a masterful work filled with incredible images and a touching story that speaks to us all about the basic essentials of life. Into the Wild tells the story of Chris McCandless, a successful college graduate who gives his money away to charity and goes on a journey heading towards the wild, beautiful nature of Alaska. His thinking stems from his home life, which was not that stable as a child. His parents fought constantly, and the alienation he felt from them only drove him to alienate himself from everybody else. He thrives by himself and does survive quite well for awhile. While traveling across the American west, he encounters a married couple of hippies, lovingly played by Brian Dieker and Catherine Keener, a young girl who falls for him, played by the remarkable Kristen Stewart, a corrupt farmer played by Vince Vaughn, and a lonely old man, portrayed by Hal Holbrook in an Oscar-nominated role.
All these people influence Chris and he influences them. Penn paces this just right and constantly moves back and forth between the climax of the journey and the events leading up to it. By the time Chris actually plans to head straight for Alaska, we feel he's seen enough. He feels he hasn't. Chris is a young, idealistic, headstrong young man who wants to follow in the steps of his heroes: authors Tolstoy, London, and Thoreau. He wants to live off the land, alone, with no need to have contact with society, which he basically shuns. Us being society, it is hard at times to agree with him, but we also are drawn to him, as are most other people in the film. We want him to succeed, but just like Chris, we don't quite know what he is looking for out there. It may be peace, or freedom, or maybe simply God. Whatever it is, it's something bigger than himself, and he dies in the process.
Despite this downcast ending, Sean Penn has made a remarkable film. The screenplay goes on a bit too long at times, but the direction is perfect. The cinematography is gorgeous, perfectly capturing the awesome beauty of nature not just in Alaska, but wherever Chris goes. This is a powerful piece of work that is nothing short of inspirational. If there is any film from 2007 you look up, it should be this one. It will motivate you to live life to the fullest and find that, "Happiness is best when shared." Just like Chris.