A must for any true adventurous spirit

Rating: 9/10 (3 September 2011)

Have you ever had the urge just to jack everything in and find some secluded part of nowhere to live simply and be completely alone? Maybe you've fantasised about being shipwrecked on a desert island or possibly you like the idea about living in the woods or some empty valley, relying on nothing but your wits and instinct and surviving on whatever you can catch or forage. Perhaps few have; at the end of the day there is an overwhelming part of all of us that fears being lonely or isolated. I feel that too but I have also had a long term fantasy about living in the wild that I don't think I'll ever shake. And I suppose that is why I enjoyed this film so much.
There are other reasons too: the imagery and cinematography are fantastic; the acting is excellent, particularly from the supporting characters that the main protagonist meets along his journey (chief amongst them Hal Holbrook's performance as Ron); and the idea that this really happened – though an ultimately sad story (don't worry this isn't a spoiler) – is very appealing.
However, if any film I've watched in recent years has made me want to strike out and make changes in my life then it is indisputably Into The Wild. I have the book on order and winging its way to me as I type so I can further explore the life of Christopher McCandless and I can't wait. For anyone who has ever had similar desires this film is a must. Just make sure you watch it alone.