"Into the Wild: The Discarded Masterpiece"
Beautiful, Yet Ignored, A Drama that Deserves a Second Chance
Sep 3, 2008
In the modern age of the blockbuster, audiences are often robbed of the opportunity to witness many of the year’s best on the big screen. In most cases, these are little games made on a shoestring budget and feature a no-name cast. But in rare instances, the public is inexplicably cheated from headlining projects that showcase plenty of star-power and mass appeal. One such drama, which was noticeably vacant from most multiplexes, was Sean Penn’s devastating masterpiece, INTO THE WILD. Featuring Emile Hirsch (in a career defining performance) and showcasing some of the most hauntingly beautiful camerawork that has graced the screen, this docu-drama is stunning work of art.
McCandless and His Tumultous Trek
The most remarkable thing about Penn’s picture, is the fact that it is based, in large part, on fact. Shortly after graduating college, ambitious and attractive Christopher McCandless (Hirsch) abandoned his privileged lifestyle (his father was an engineer for NASA) to live the life he had always dreamed of. The ideological young man donated his life savings to charity, cut-up all of his identification, and burned the money he had in his pocket. His intentions were to abandon the creature comforts that take men out of nature, and obtain the elusive spirituality that only living off of the land could provide. Ultimately, he hoped to end his journey in Alaska, where he intended to live for a few months in tranquil solidarity.
Penn’s incredible film follows McCandless as he hitches his way across America, and focuses on the lives he touches along the way. While running into an impeccable cast of supporting characters that include Vince Vaughn (in a delicate, yet humorous turn), Catherine Keener (as a broken-hearted mother), and Hal Holbrook (as an elderly man longing for companionship), he touches the lives of everyone he meets. Sweet-natured, well-spoken and intelligent, he is the type of man who could do anything in this world that he wanted, yet chooses to follow a path of solitude.
The Oscar that Should have Been
Hirsch, who was the star of the wholly ignored Speed Racer, is a marvel as McCandless. By performing all of his own stunts and perfectly capturing the lyrical and philosophical nature of his character, he effectively embodies the wide-eyed traveler. His performance is the reason that Into the Wild is so unforgettable, and the fact that he was largely ignored during award season is beyond my realm of comprehension.
As the most successful road pictures often do, Penn effectively captures the essence and beauty of America, filming in the some of the most dazzling locations imaginable. From the rapids in Colorado, to the sprawling wheat fields of the Midwest, and finally to the majestic Alaskan wilderness, it’s easy to see how McCandless fell in love with the land. His self-discovery and personal experiences transcend all traditional forms of daily life, and Penn’s exquisite exploration serves as a fitting tribute to this unforgettable adventure.
FILM- A
