"Society have mercy on me"

Rating: 8/10 (29 November 2007)

Into the Wild
I admit, I wouldn't have been aware of this film if it were not for the Soundtrack, which was appropriately penned by Eddie Vedder, who I am a longtime fan of.
There's nothing groundbreaking or deeply unique about 'Into The Wild', but that doesn't matter too much, because the film in itself is quite staggering, especially as it was based around a true story (and from what I've read), the film doesn't stray from the realness of what happened to Christopher McCandless -- our protagonist who is in search of himself and as he puts it to his friends & associates (I'm missing out family for a reason) his; "great Alaskan Adventure".
Apparently Director Sean Penn followed the footsteps and journey of McCandless before embarking on this artistic independent picture. In short, Christopher McCandless graduates his college education with excellent results, a promising future and selfishly throws all his parents help back at them (donates $24k of funds to oxfam), by quitting life -- literally and attempting to travel by whatever means; river, road, freeloading trains & foot, from one end of America to the next.
Along the way of course, he meets many characters who help colour the story and help illustrate McCandless determination to live his dream and at the same time breaks their hearts.
I wouldn't want to reveal everything about this film, but if you do check it out I can't imagine anyone not being impressed by the staggering cinematography, acting & old fashioned story telling that is neatly outlined by Eddie Vedder's bittersweet folk songs.
~Paul Browne.