Movie Review - Into the Wild

It might be unfair to review a film that I was only half-heartedly watching because I decided to write this review while the film played. But I'm going to review it anyway. Normally, I’m quite accepting of a film’s faults. Often I derive far more pleasure from a film than the critics claim I will. Perhaps it’s true form then that I would disagree with a large number of critics who rated this rather irritating true story quite highly.

The plot is based on the life and death of Chris McCandless who left his dysfunctional family behind and set out on a quest to wander the U.S. with few possessions. His hope was to reach Alaska where he planned to live in solitude for a while.

I haven’t read the book on which this movie is based so I’m not able to say if it’s similar or even better than the movie. On IMDB there is a note in the FAQ that states the following: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758758/faq#.2.1.6
Those who have both seen the movie and read the book generally conclude that the movie has "Hollywoodized" the novel. Arguably, however, the novel's implicit (and often explicit) approval of and admiration for Chris McCandless's actions was balanced in the movie with his focused shortcomings to create a more sympathetic and realistic character and to provide the emotional arc of the narrative. While most of the events in the two media are similar, the tone and texture of each is unique.

I found this note amusing due to the fact that the main character is so incredibly unlikeable in the film I couldn’t imagine him being even less sympathetic and realistic in the book. The film’s one redeeming quality is the wonderful support cast of characters he meets along the way. They are charmingly quirky and realistic despite their brief appearances. Perhaps it is this teasing quality that makes these characters so likeable, it’s certainly easy to fall in love with them when they’re standing next to the righteous main character, Chris McCandless (AKA Alexander Supertramp).

The other redeeming quality is the song Society from Eddie Vedder, a wonderful hippy theme song with intelligent lyrics. However, I liked the song a lot more before I heard it in context with the film. I wonder if a more sensitive, insightful film would have resulted if Eddie Vedder wrote the script.

There is a scene about ¾ of the way through the film where Chirs meets his (sort of) love interest in the film played by Kirstin Stewart. It’s in these few scenes he actually seems to soften and develop a few moments of rapport with the viewer.

Dedicated survivalists and bush folk won’t find much in this film that is of an educational or informative nature. Chris actually spends very little time in the wild, the majority of the film is focused on his time wandering throughout the warmer U.S. states. One benefit to seeing this film is that I no longer have to explain to people why I haven’t seen it yet.

If you’ve seen the film and/or read the book I’d love to hear your thoughts whether you agree with me or not.