Into the Wild (2007)

I feel a little bit nauseous.

I've just finished watching Into the Wild for the first time. I'd heard mixed things about it previously. A few people have said it's inspiring and desperately sad too, and a few have labelled it 'distinctly average'.

I have to admit, I thought it was a fantastic film. It held my attention throughout its entire 148-minute runtime, and emotionally took me on a journey I didn't fully expect. Did I like everything about it? No. Did I at times find 'Alexander' was selfish and foolhardy to his detriment? Yes. Does that make it a bad film? No, probably the contrary.

Into the Wild is beautifully shot, capturing the essence of wild America in almost every frame. The cinematography succeeds in immersing us in the world, and at times trapping us in it with Christopher in his darker and more frantic moments.

I thought perhaps Into the Wild would be a study of Christopher as reflected in the landscape and the characters around him, but the supporting ensemble have such weight and are all so very well portrayed that they are almost the bigger story. That is to say, Into the Wild is as much a film about Christopher's influence upon the world and those he meets therewithin as it is about the way they affect him.

Speaking of the supporting cast, I can't find a weak link, none of the characters feel incidental or unnecessary, and all are pitch-perfect performances. Catherine Keener, Brian Dierker and Vince Vaughn all had great supporting roles, as did a pretty well-disguised Zach Galifianakis. Special note must be made of Kristen Stewart (I had no idea she could act when given a decent script and good direction!) and Hal Holbrook, both of whom made me genuinely care about them beyond their appearances on-screen. I was left wondering how they dealt with life after 'Alexander' left them. Come to think of it, was Christopher being selfish when he told the old man he'd talk about adoption after he returned from Alaska? Was he instead guarding against the possibility he wouldn't return? It's clear from his leaving his hat and attempt to cross the river that his intention was to make it back, so who knows?

And whatever happened to that fresh-faced kid from The Girl Next Door? Emile Hirsch proves he's got some serious acting chops, as well as a Christian Bale-like ability to change his bodyweight to suit the role. He carries off this sometimes kooky, sometimes brazen and oftentimes conflicted character with great conviction and success.

The character and the story, given that they are based on real-life events, are handled responsibly by writer/director Sean Penn, and woven into a very affecting cinematic experience. The journey, both physically and emotionally, of this literary, adventure-obsessed character to escape the oppression of his parents and the stresses and strains of modern society in the wider sense is a hell of a story. The descent into self-exiled, lonely delirium and the dissolution of the rational, educated mind through desperation to survive is a powerful enough conclusion, especially when framed by the lives of those he's left behind. Yet, is this a sad tale of lost hope, or the (somewhat unfortunate) natural conclusion to a dream sought and lived? The latter, by all means.

I couldn't help but to enjoy the ride, even with the niggling dread playing on my mind, until the desperation and resignation of the finale. Even in death, that this young man could find the meaning of happiness is inspiring.