Walden meets Travels with Charlie

Rating: 9/10 (10 March 2008)

The movie is really 2 movies in 1.
1 examines his rustic, simple, and "survivor-man" like stay in wilderness Alaska. This is the Thoreau "Walden" take. This is what I thought the movie would focus on before I viewed it. To my surprise, this is a smaller factor in the overall story.
2 focuses more on the relationships and Americana the main character examines and interacts with as he makes his way across the country. Much like Steinbach in "Travels with Charlie." To my amazement, and pleasure, this story has legs. We see development in the main character.
Overall the story does tie the two stories together and in an effective way. I would call the Hal Holbrook character the bridge between the two stories and ultimately the light that shines down on the main character. The interaction between the Holbrook character and the main character will lead the viewer to ultimate judgment on the main character. I myself leave the film angry and disappointed in the main character, but others may not. That is what will make this film one the best of all time. People will discuss the main character's actions and thoughts and can come out in two very different destinations.
I scored the movie a 9 out of 10. I would have given the film a 10, absent the movie's epilogue. It was not needed and explained too much to the viewer.