A True Life Experience

Rating: 8/10 (10 May 2019)

Penn creates a masterpiece. This is a virtuous film adapted from the novel of the same title which is based on true events. Excellent direction, cinematography, screenplay, settings, editing, soundtrack and acting. The entire cast delivers realistic and formidable performances. Hirsch and Holbrook in particular are superb. Malone's narrative is sensationally emotional and poetic throughout the film. The plot revolves around a young man Christopher McCandless, a recent top graduate from Emory University. Instead of pursuing a prestigious career being forced upon him by his overbearing parents, he chooses a different path. Christopher donates his entire life savings to charity, rids himself of all possessions and hits the road on a journey of self discovery with the ultimate goal of reaching the Alaskan wilderness. Along his journey he encounters several characters who give him insight and sage. The plot is thought provoking, captivating, selfish, psychological, insightful, heartwrenching, sublime and so much more. This film and the novel it was based on, changed this viewer's life and philosophy. There are many memorable quotes and this viewer's favorite is, "Happiness is only real when shared". It is a remarkable achievement and one of the greatest films in it's genre