Into the wild is based on the real life of Christopher McCandless (played by Emile Hirsch) as written in Jon Krakauer's best-selling book Into the Wild. An intelligent honours grad from Emory University, Christopher rebels against his domineering and materialistic parents by escaping into the wild of America in an attempt to live free from all money, objects and possessions. Christopher has recently graduated from college but before even know his results, he donates the majority of his savings ($24,000) to Oxfam and sets out in his old car to find his ideal life in Alaska. His car is son lost in a flash flood and he is left to hitch the rest of his journey across America. His journey takes him unintentionally around America and even to Mexico, meeting many characters along the way, many of whom are taken in by his story, ideas and charisma but lacking the confidence or freedom to follow in his footsteps. The characters all have an extremely likable side and make you as a viewer completely involved with the journey. Along the way he is learning the skills needed to survive by him in isolation. Under the pseudonym of "Alexander supertramp", Christopher manages to make it to Alaska and fore fill his idealistic life style but is happiness true when alone? This is a long but compelling film, which really draws you into a pure hippy lifestyle which to some extent we would all want. You will love and miss the characters and live the story as it unfolds. You will wonder if what you are doing is what you really want and if there is something you should be doing. Emile Hirsch's brilliant portrait of Christopher with depth and humanity along with the shining example of Hal Holbrook as widower Ron Franz and beguiling performance of Vince Vaughn as corrupt farmer Wayne Westerberg make this film truly outstanding. With a gentle soundtrack and great directing by Sean Penn, taking in all the beauty and terror of America, this should surely be one to remember. It will defiantly be considered a classic in years to come.
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Thanks for letting me know you'd amended this. Re-rated as promised.
Soho_Black 04.10.2008 10:59
Good review of the film itself, although I see you've posted this as a DVD review, but you've not mentioned the DVD features. Are there any extras? If so, what are they and are they any good? If you add to this, or if you change it to be posted as a "Film Only" review, which can be done by accessing "edit review" above the review and changing the drop down menu under the "Which format are you reviewing?" question at the bottom, please let me know and I'll re-rate.
A superb cast and an even-handed treatment of a true story buoyInto the Wild, Sean Penn's ... more
screen adaptation of Jon Krakauer's bestselling book. Emile Hirsch stars as Christopher McCandless, scion of a prosperous but troubled family who, after graduatin...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
A superb cast and an even-handed treatment of a true story buoyInto the Wild, Sean Penn's ... more
screen adaptation of Jon Krakauer's bestselling book. Emile Hirsch stars as Christopher McCandless, scion of a prosperous but troubled family who, after graduatin...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Freshly graduated from college with a promising future ahead 22-year-old Christopher ... more
McCandless (Emile Hirsch) instead walked out on his privileged life and into the wild in search of adventure. What happened to him on the way transformed this young w...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
Advantages: Wonderful performances, excellent soundtrack, gorgeous scenery. Disadvantages: Gets rather dark, some may not take to Penn's jumpy directing style.
Syklone 15.08.2009 (15.08.2009)
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Review of Into The Wild (DVD)