Wonderful. A journey of discovery and escape, it proves that happiness is best when shared.

Rating: 10/10 (31 March 2008)

I must say that "Into the Wild" is a great movie one of the most touching and inspirational films in a long time that will touch your heart and emotions. The film is done in such a beautiful manner for the way it shows how journey and nature spellbinds and becomes amazingly personal to a young man in search of escape and discovery of happiness. "Into the Wild" is inspired by a true story and the screenplay and directing both was brilliantly done by acting veteran Sean Penn, though it may seem long and drawn out to some the film moves at a pace that travels you along for the right amount of time for each adventure and discovery and the meetings of new people that this young man encounters.
Set in 1990 after graduation from college straight A student Chris McCandless(Emile Hirsch)decides finally he must abandon his life of spoiled privilege and comfort from his wealthy and sheltered parents Billie(Marcia Gay Harden)and Walt(William Hurt)by making a cross country journey to discover freedom of life on the road that's full of adventures, rejecting reason, and meeting new people and most of all having new joys and being happy. All along the main goal of Chris is to reach and settle down in the Alaskan wilderness. Along the way this film is told stirring and steady by the use of flashbacks and told by the narration of his sister Carine. Along the way the fun and enjoyment of natures beauty which was inspired to Chris by reading the works of Jack London fails in comparison to his meeting of new people and friends. Catherine Keener gives a good turn as a likable hippie and biker type gal Jan, and Vince Vaughn is a treat as Wayne the hard working common man farmer in South Dakota. Last but not least the most important encounter for Chris is in the California dessert community when he encounters wisdom and learns faith from an old man Ron Franz(Hal Holbrook is terrific here). Proving most of all that life is about new people, discoveries and learning to be happy and feeling good about sharing.
When the journey finally ends and he deceases in the Alaskan wilderness in August of 1992 this young man had seen the light of life and learned faith and wisdom while he rejected phony reasons and the hidden lies of his family life. Overall "Into the Wild" is a very touching and moving film a great viewing to uplift your spirits and have you feeling the need for your own personal journey to discover new people and to find happiness. The pacing and direction of the film is top notch from Penn while the scenes of Hirsch and Holbrook together are touching and wonderfully emotional. Again this film proves happiness is best when shared it's a must view one of the best movies made in a long time.