Quest for meaning

Rating: 8/10 (3 January 2008)

An idealistic, perhaps immature, young man embarks on a journey both logistically, through America and spiritually, within his own soul.
The movie chronicles his travels, the people he encounters and friends he makes, while exploring his motivation behind abandoning all. He abandons his family, friends and any people he encounters in which he gets along so well with. People really have an empathy and love for him. Yet he feels the need to abandon all that is good to reach his destination and isolation  Alaska. The movie hints at this motivation, but it remains somewhat unclear to the audience, as it would be to anyone as I'm sure it was to the man himself. Upon speculation some conclusions can be drawn, such as; the need to prove himself and make himself a better man (if he can survive with nothing in the wild he can survive anywhere), soul searching for happiness, perhaps running from something such as family problems (and probably something undocumented and unknown to anyone), the adventure and experience.
Critics may claim, with some merit, that this is just a spoiled selfish young man. Why care for someone like this who hurts his family and loved ones for some egotistical meanderings. However aren't faulty characters the truest expression of humanity? Can't we see reflections of this person in others and even ourselves to some degree? The character is clearly seeking out something Grandiose, something bigger than family, friends and human interaction, some all encompassing meaning of life. As opposed to other movies seemingly attempting to satiate our appetites for these grandiose answers but just wets our appetite by feeding us vague tastes at meanings in order to purposely make us ponder, this movie satisfyingly portrays the young man's and story's subjective belief of an answer, leaving the audience fulfilled. The ending is very fulfilling as the young man attains his Wisdom.
The scenery is beautiful containing many shots of the most beautiful, alien landscapes I know of in the World, the West. The movie was a little slow and dragged. It was very poignant for better or for worse.
I think this young man's quest is something we can all admire and make a part of ourselves in a lesser degree.