Film Review: Into the Wild (2007)
The author of this review lives in a country where summer headlines are plagued with tales of foreign tourists venturing into the remote mountain areas with little more than flip flops, little or no food, without maps, advice from locals or any idea what to do when things go wrong. Such adventures, in best cases, end as unnecessary and increasingly annoying strain on police and mountain rescue service. So, people in my country are unlikely to find much sympathy for the protagonist of Into the Wild, 2007 adventure biopic directed by Sean Penn.
The film is based on Jon Krakauer's best-selling 1996 non-fiction book, which chronicles Christopher McCandless's ill-fated attempt experience life-changing adventure in the Alaskan wilderness. The plot begins with McCandless finding an abandoned bus in April 1992, which would serve as his home as he attempts to live off the land. The plot then flashes back two years earlier, when McCandless, the son of a well-to-do middle-class family, graduates from Emory University. Displeasing his father Walt (played by William Hurt) and mother Billie (played by Marcia Gay Harden), he transfers all his savings to charity, burns his cash and credit cards, and sets off on a journey along the West Coast. Motivated by a desire to find his true self and abandon the materialism and hypocrisy of his upbringing, he encounters many kindred spirits but ultimately chooses to face his ultimate test alone in Alaska.
Into the Wild feels as though it was made decades too late. Its themes of returning to nature and rejecting materialism echo sentiments that were more resonant during the late 1960s amidst a generational gap. The film’s road narrative, which was prevalent in many films of that era, also feels somewhat out of place in a contemporary context. The romanticism surrounding McCandless's journey may have been more impactful had it emerged during a time when such ideals were at the forefront of cultural discourse.
Sean Penn’s approach to the material is marked by a lack of concern for contemporary perspectives or the nuances of McCandless’s life. Unlike Werner Herzog's documentary Grizzly Man, which presents a more objective view of similar themes, Penn’s film adopts a subjective lens that elevates McCandless to the status of a noble rebel against societal constraints. The film even invokes contemporary political commentary, subtly linking McCandless’s motivations to George W. Bush’s war in Iraq, albeit in an allegorical manner. Penn further idealises McCandless by portraying him as a Christ-like figure who remains morally unblemished—rejecting sexual advances from an underage girl played by Kristen Stewart and assisting those around him in rekindling their own passions.
While Penn's characterisation might not be inherently problematic, it becomes so due to his directorial choices. The film employs a non-linear narrative structure that can often be confusing for viewers. Rapid editing techniques combined with flashbacks from McCandless’s diary entries and insights from his sister Carine (played by Jena Malone) result in a disjointed storytelling experience that diminishes the emotional resonance of McCandless’s journey.
Despite these narrative challenges, Into the Wild benefits significantly from its strong performances. Emile Hirsch delivers an authentic portrayal of McCandless, going so far as to physically transform himself for the role to reflect the character's decline during his final days. His performance is complemented by Vince Vaughn as Wayne Westerberg, McCandless’s employer, and Hal Holbrook in an Oscar-nominated role as Ron Franz, an elderly man who becomes a mentor figure for McCandless.
Upon its release, Into the Wild garnered critical acclaim and achieved modest box office success; however, its popularity has had unintended consequences. The film has inspired numerous individuals to trek to Alaska in search of McCandless’s infamous bus or to emulate his journey into the wild. Tragically, this has resulted in several deaths as inexperienced adventurers attempt to replicate his perilous expedition without adequate preparation or understanding of the risks involved.
While Into the Wild offers a visually stunning portrayal of one man's quest for meaning outside societal confines, it ultimately falls short due to its romanticised depiction of adventure and its convoluted narrative structure. The film resonates with themes of self-discovery and rebellion against materialism but lacks the emotional clarity necessary to fully engage its audience with McCandless's tragic story.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
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