Into The Wild Review

Emile Hirsch gives an amazing performance in "Into The Wild" that takes his character from the privileged life of upper middle class Christopher McCandless to the hitchhiking, nearly penniless, adventure-seeking Alexander Supertramp, the name he takes on when he ditches his old life and refuses to be found by his family.

While it may seem he's just a whiney, priviledged kid, rebelling against mom and dad, in this case it's much more than that.  He's a young man who comes to the realization that the precscribed plan laid out for him since and BY his birth has left him no room to discover himself and what he's capable of, and beyond that -- what matters and what's true.

Unlike 'The Royal Tanenbaums' which I found incredibly indulgent in large part because it WAS a bunch of priviliged young people that just decided to QUIT on life when they felt disaffected... 'Into The Wild' was wonderful because it showed a real person who decided to START on life, by shedding the old skin and finding his own path.

The film, based on true events, also is filled with terrific supporting characters who come in and out of his life, or more accurately, whose lives he moves into and out of as his adventure unfolds.  Hal Holbrook is particularly great as an elderly man touched by the short time the two spend together.  A hippie couple Christopher/Alexander encounters also has a strong effect on both him and them.  And a pair of camping Danes add a dose of humor to the journey.

William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden do fine work as his parents, but it's Emile Hirsch's performance, at turns calm, raw, humorous, intense, horrifying and life-threatening that makes this film so riveting.  And Sean Penn's direction never seemed heavy-handed or obtrusive, but always giving the right measure of what was needed for each scene.  I never felt like we watched Hirsch walk through a field or paddle down a river for too long.  So the two and a half hour running time really did not feel overlong.  I put it in the cons only because some people might think it so BEFORE seeing the movie.  I'd like to assure you that, if you're ever into patient films without car chases and bombs... you will not find the time a problem.   And to be sure, there are harrowing scenes... it's not just a walk in the park. 

I highly recommend it, and don't be surprised if Emile Hirsch, Hal Holbrook and Sean Penn are names that turn up during awards season.