INTO THE WILD

An in depth look at an incredible true story.

Into the Wild is a strikingly distinctive film. The realness of the story overcomes you while stirring your emotions. Phenomenal acting keeps everything in motion throughout the length of the film. The main character is awkwardly inspiring and discouraging as you fall deeper into this chronicle of his life. Sean Penn brings this world-renowned tale of determination and struggle to the big screen as cinematic beauty compliments an appreciation for truth.

Emile Hirsch brings an ambitious presence to the lead role of Christopher McCandless. His portrayal is mistakenly real. It is not a dialogue driven role, but instead a character study driven by the people that surround him. The way his character affects the others throughout the story is how one learns about him. He touches everyone in some way and that really lets you in to what kind of a person he was. Hirsch plays McCandless just how I would expect him to be in real life; optimistic, keeps to himself, and somewhat expressionless. It is his inoffensive demeanor as well as his optimism that brings about compassion from the other characters.

The supporting cast is an impressive list of actors who all contribute immensely to the story. They serve so many functions in the life of McCandless, and ultimately are the ones that convey the story to the audience. McCandless sweeps through their lives while managing to change them in all sorts of ways. I went into the film with the idea that his character would develop and unfold into the story, but found that his disposition was almost the same from start to finish. The people he influenced were the ones that ultimately transformed.

Sean Penn is a landmark director that tells stories with a breathtaking grace. The subtleties he incorporates into a scene make such a difference. His epic vision for this story shines on screen. Stark landscapes and wide angle shots create a distressing realness to what this journey must have been like. He portrays the story’s intimate moments with just as much powerful control as the moments of raw destitution. Penn adapts Into the Wild better than anyone could have.

This film is one to be remembered. Sean Penn and an incredible cast bring this amazing true story to a whole new level. The original score done by Eddie Vedder is a true compliment to the experience as well. No details are overlooked. The scenes are epically cinematic while bringing a sense of reality to the audience. As one gets wrapped in the story’s characters feelings of both inspiration and hopelessness stir inside. Into the Wild is a uniquely enriching story that has been perfectly adapted to film.


GRADE: A
TRAILER: http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount_vantage/intothewild/