Engaging

Rating: 8/10 (19 November 2011)

Top student Chris graduates Emory University, and promptly leaves his old life to pursue one in the wilderness of Alaska. This shows the impact this decision has on his parents and sister, as well as the journey. It doesn't tell you if he made the right choice or not, rather it leaves that up to the individual. This is based on a true story as well as a novel, and I can draw no comparisons to either(although I understand that the book has essentially the same events, if the tone is rather different). Along the way, this kid(a compelling Hirsch) meets a lot of interesting people, and albeit he tends not to spend very long around them(he's not looking for others, he's trying to get away from society), every character is memorable, credible, genuine and comes across as a complete person. The acting is all great. Standouts are Keener, Holbrook, Vaughn(no, really), Hurt and, this one might surprise you, Pre-Twilight Stewart(yes, these last years, we've forgotten that she used to exhibit talent. This is one of her best performances). He meets hippies, the lonely, the hopefuls and a few who have no sympathy for his situation. We see both sides of nature, the stunning beauty and the terrifying danger. It is gorgeously photographed all the way. The pace is good, and I wouldn't really call this excessive in length, in spite of the nearly two hour, 30 minute running time. It captures the mood of every scene and really keeps your attention. The humanity, the sheer emotion, comes so easily to this. No manipulation or melodrama. There is a bit of disturbing content, and a little bloody, gory violence(not gratuitous), nudity(full frontal of both genders) and moderate to strong language in this. I recommend this to fans of those involved in creating it. 8/10