Into the wild – a review
December 10th 2007 08:09
Just after I got back from holiday, I saw a preview of Into the Wild. Being away meant that I had no preconceptions about the film especially as I hadn’t even heard of it. When I read some of the high expectations people had for the film in Cib’s post, I was surprised. More so, seeing as I had been in the States and heard nothing at all about it (I can’t explain that). Conversely, I heard much about Superbad, The Nanny Diaries, Eastern Promises (which we saw) and The Brave One (I got fed up of hearing about that one) but nothing about Into the Wild.
The film begins with a quote from Lord Byron that sets the film’s atmosphere:
There is a pleasure in the pathless words. ... There is society where none intrudes." And yes, I agree. Moving into an unknown journey is freeing combined with some elements of fear and intredipidation.
I think that adapting a true story into a feature film is a delicate business. Reality is a sprawling entity that interweaves disparate threads to create a larger whole that can often only reveal itself in retrospect. If it is too condensed, the connections may begin to look forced, simplistic and perhaps dreary. Refrain from shaping it and it could become messy. I think this film was a mixture of both, in some parts the intimate details detracted from the film, they felt dull and conversely they also allowed it to be somehow messy, some parties of the story seem unanswered.
The idea of people leaving their lives and choosing another one has always fascinated me. It is one that I have wondered about for years, what leads people to make this decision to effectively disappear. I began reading The Big Issue in London and continued reading it here and I am always moved by the page showing pictures and descriptions of people that are missing. I feel affected when I hear Manic Street Preachers as one of their band members, co-lyricist and guitarist Richey James Edwards (Richey James, as he preferred to be known) disappeared in 1995; his whereabouts are still unknown. This event seems to make their music even more haunting.
I liked the premise, it’s a story based on the odyssey of Christopher McCandless, who choose to move away from societal conventions and began a solitary life in the Alaska wilderness. He gave most of his $24,000 life savings to Oxfam and leaves determined to live a life he believes in rather than one that is expected of him.
The Red Rock scenery was striking and authentic. It echoed isolation. It represented freedom to Chris. I understood why he chose to leave his expected and conventional life behind. As cruel as some people may think he was towards his family, his choice made sense. He didn’t want to be hemmed into a life that he had no interest in. He wanted to be free.
Unfortunately, I kept feeling as though there was something missing in the film. I didn't want to, I wanted to be completely absorbed by it and its message, but at times, it seemed slightly trite. It seemed unlikely that some of the coincidences could happen. It may sound as though I was a harsh critic but that’s how I couldn't help but feel.
The film created a lingering paradox in my mind. While I could understand why Chris left his life behind, at the same time, I could empathise with his family that were worried about him. There was no easy answer to the dilemma Chris felt.
Apparently, it took Penn ten years to persuade the McCandless family to let him create the film. Penn then travelled in Chris's footsteps, from Georgia to the Colorado River (where Chris kayaked to the Sea of Cortez in Mexico), to Slab City, an abandoned army camp in the Californian desert used by squatters, hippies and grey nomads. He interviewed people who had known McCandless and one or two worked on the film, including the real Wayne Westerberg, a grain-elevator operator from South Dakota who gave Chris a job (played in the movie by Vince Vaughn). Penn most definitely put a lot of effort into creating a true and authentic depiction of McCandless’ life.
Image courtesy of google
I hadn’t realised that it was based on a true story until the end when they stated it in the titles. I then felt guilty that I wasn’t moved enough by the story, wondering that maybe if I had known that before watching it, then maybe I would’ve liked it more. Maybe if I had known this before I saw it, I wouldn't have questioned some of the coincidences I had difficulty accepting and believing.
This set me thinking about true stories, how I feel there is a subtle layer of obligation for the audience to empathise and be moved by true stories, because after all, that really happened to someone.
Despite having a few foibles about the film, it has stayed with me which is a sign that the film has been effective on a few levels. It’s definitely worth a look and a ponder afterwards.
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Comment by tlcorbin
Coffee Quip
Into the Wild (1996) by Jon Krakauer is a best-selling non-fiction book about the adventures of Christopher McCandless. It is an expansion of Krakauer's ...
Really Long Link - 31k
Your observations are compelling, but I have to say that Chris made light of life here in Alaska and paid for his cockiness. This beautiful place will kill you if you are disdainful of its rules.
Raven
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
It's really good to hear from a local what the environment is like and how harsh it is. I was shocked that Chris carried so little when he left. That was one of the reasons that I found the story hard to absorb at times.
Thanks for your comments,
Tracy
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
People do that here in Tassie too. They think the wilderness is like a walk in the park. Sadly, they walk in unprepared and don't come out.
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
I saw this movie over the weekend and it really hit a deep spot in me. Having spoken to a few people and read a few reviews I am a little taken aback by the response to it.
To me the very point of his journey has been overlooked. Sure he may have been totally unprepared for his wanders, but really, in the grand scheme of things it is such a trivial part of his story.
The fact that someone was searching so deeply for something which appears obvious to everyone else really grabs me. And the fact that life can appear so obvious to the rest of the world makes me wonder how we are all really living - only on the surface I think. There is no depth to our struggles and we seem to just take things for granted or carry on with the flow.
It is difficult to put into words what I think of this movie - there were so many times during it when i thought - oh my word I can see through this boys eyes! I thought it was one of the best movies I have seen in a long time and I can`t wait to read the book on it now.
A great review Tracy.
Ash
Comment by Harry
Sydney Diary
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Comment by Cibbuano
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I must read your review again and then answer....
I'll be back.....
Trace
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
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Esoteric Bookshop
What a lovely review. That alone was nice enough to read.
I love films based on true stories most and I adore Byron, so this looks like it has all the makings of a must see... and I will.
Thanks for the heads up.
Lilla ...
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Yes, the scenery is incredible. It did amaze me that he left with very little resources to deal with the harsh weather changes.
Thanks for your comments,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for such an in-depth comment. I agree with you about us often just being expected to plod through life and do what we have to do. When someone deviates from the path, people often react negatively.
Your comment has really made me think: And the fact that life can appear so obvious to the rest of the world makes me wonder how we are all really living - only on the surface I think.
I think it is good to stop and re-evaluate how we are living, is it all for others or for ourselves? I like to think that we have a choice (to a degree anyway, each circumstance is different), that we can make changes if we are unhappy with something. Chris’ actions were drastic but I could understand why he did what he did.
Thanks, Ash. I’m deep in thought now,
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Yes, he was determined to do what he felt was best for him, but unfortunately it didn't work out that way. Sad story.
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I think it was some parts of the direction that bothered me and like you said, the narration.
While I could understand the message, the story and Chris' motivations, unfortunately for some reason, some parts of the story didn't quite gel for me.
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
What a lovely compliment, thank-you.
Feel free to pop back after you’ve seen the film and tell me what you thought.
Tracy