Into the Wild (2007)

The life of Christopher McCandless is forever immortalized by John Krakauer's powerful book, Into the Wild. After Sean Penn optioned it for a motion picture, McCandless might forever be known as the most self-destructive man ever.

Into the Wild is the story of the fortuned, young McCandless who inexplicably gives his trust fund to charity to transform himself into Alexander Supertramp and follow fate into Alaska. It's his disgust with society that drives him from humanity.

In both mediums, what strikes me is McCandless' self-destruction. I can related to him on different levels, but at some point his passion becomes almost hysteria. Here is the smart, promising trust-fund baby that has the world at his feet and yet, to him, it is all a farce. Within his family life lies an undercurrent of deceit. Writer/director Sean Penn rightly examines this because it shapes Chris so much. the family life and I think therein lies much of Chris' disgust. Still, there were so many other people who loved him as himself.

His journey to Alaska actually takes him first to the Midwest and then to Mexico. In all these little towns in between, Chris meets people of all kinds. Some transient, others not. It's these people that try to save Chris from himself. These are relationships to cherish and he can't even see it!! To use the cliche, Chris can't see the forest for the trees. To this viewer, it is madly frustrating and sad at the same time.

The casting is brilliant. Emile Hirsch plays McCandless and he channels the person I've read about. It's a beautiful character study. Christ is driven, industrious, athletic, cocky, naive, and smitten by the works of Tolstoy, Byron, and Thoreau. Hirsh makes the descent slowly. Kudos to him for embodying such a multi-faceted character.

Supporting Hirsch is a line-up of amazing character. Catherine Keener, Hal Holbrook, Vince Vaughn, Jena Malone, William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden are equally remarkable as they ebb and flow from McCandless' life. Keener is perfect as a hippie transient. Vaughn's turn as a Midwest farmer, Wayne Westerberg, is perfect as well. The book expands more on their relationship. Wayne influenced this clueless kid more than anyone, I think.

Wow. I suppose death is inevitable when one takes off to the wilderness unprepared. Still, I had hope the movie would end different. The grandfatherly Ron Franz (Holbrook) truly loved this boy--even wanted to adopt Chris, but acquiesced as Chris goes, 'when I get back from Alaska, we'll see.' I wanted Chris to come back for him alone.

Penn unfolds the story of McCandless with heart and principle--much like McCandless. The film feels like a travel documentary with a lead weight. Beautiful montages of endless mountains, roads, earth and skies belie the weightiness of McCandless' choices. Penn uses the scenery and Chris' own words to further the story within its time frame. The setting gives way to McCandless' slowly emaciating body and Penn turns to his words convey the weight of the world.

Into the Wild is an overwhelming story that pierces the heart. Weeping as Chris meets his demise, out of sheer foolishness, I was overwhelmed. How do you stop a man seemingly hellbent on self-destruction? This film is an arduous journey, but one all the better for making.

I think Chris was right. Happiness is only real when shared.