Movies that are absolutely in love with themselves are always their own downfall.

Rating: 4/10 (17 May 2008)

With the exception of "Across The Universe", this movie may very well be one of the most pretentious movies I have ever seen.
Are there good points to this movie? Absolutely.
-The scenery is utterly breathtaking. -Chris's adventures have a dreamlike, peaceful quality to them that lets you appreciate the beauty of the wilderness. -The supporting characters Chris meets along the way are interesting, wonderful characters.
Here's where the movie gets lost in its own self-absorption
-The philosophical rants are best described by watching "Good Will Hunting". Spouting famous philosophy and preaching "deep", recited understandings of the world in such a way that completely undermines the vast array of viewpoints and experiences of the many different people in the world end up looking so egotistical that it's nauseating to watch.
-Blaming one's problems on the crap that life brings is pathetically immature. You can't sympathize with a spoiled, rich kid who decides the world is a sham because his parents were not perfect. His sister, spouting her robotic reflections on Chris' life, reflects no emotion, no true reaction, just a passive acceptance that is completely unrealistic.
-It's hard to buy into the hippie, anti-materialistic celebrations in a movie that shows only the superficial, commercial-like beauty of both nature and people- for much of the movie, nature is friendly and nourishing, without acknowledgment of the dangers and harshness that are equally present. The characters met along the way often look like they are on their way to posing in a beer or shampoo commercial, rather than natural, human, real representations. Nude bodies in the real world are not so perfect as that. This kind of hypocrisy always makes me laugh in movies who try really hard to be deep and real, but only by following the standard Hollywood beauty formula.
-The main character is not likable. He is not someone who a person can connect with, understand, or relate to, despite his desires to escape, which we all feel from time to time. The fact that his immaturity and absolute arrogance are celebrated rather than explored ruins the film for me.
All in all, there is something in this film, but that something is utterly lost under the rubbish.