Inspired Wild

I suppose we all have those crazy notions when we're young, we're going out to conquer the world, we're going to do what we wanna do. But then reality sinks in, and we remember responsibilities, money, family, career, those excuses that hold us back. What an inspiration Christopher McCandless was, he had what so many of us would take for granted: the courage of not looking back and by doing that he was able to accomplish something very few probably could admit to.

As I was watching Sean Penn's beautiful film "Into the Wild" which recounts McCandless' two year journey through America I couldn't help but feel inspired by what he did and almost a bit envious.

When we first meet Christopher (Emile Hirsch) he has just graduated from college, his parents (William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden) are expecting him to further his education with Harvard Law, but without any warning Chris sets out with plans of his own. He gives his life savings away to charity, abandons his car and hitches a ride into the heart of America. Chris isn't a special cause, he seems to be coming from a well-bread family, he's well looked after, but after being inspired by the writings of Thoreau, Jack London, and Tolstoy, he acts on his youthful instincts and leaves all of societies trappings behind.

Through his travels he meets up and inspires some very interesting characters. They include a couple of travelling hippies (Catherine Keener and Brian Dierker), a wheat cutter (Vince Vaughn) who hires Chris on for awhile, and a wizened old man (Hal Holbrook). Each of these people that Chris encounters are inspired by his philosophy and his enthusiasm, he is indeed a special kid. But Chris also comes off as one who thinks he knows all the answers and even though these people admire him, they know he's headed for trouble. More than once Chris is asked if his parents know where he is, and Penn doesn't shy away from the hurt his leaving caused. The parents are shown at home searching helplessly, grieving for their lost son, and feeling guilty about his departure.

The parents aren't all to blame, they are shown as people who have made mistakes but did have a deep love for Chris. One couldn't help but feel Chris' trek was part of him trying to come to terms with his anger against them.

The film itself is a love letter to Chris' intentions though, it his his story, and despite the hurt his leaving caused he left an indelible mark with what he accomplished. Sean Penn has crafted a very beautiful and poetic account of his journey through America, he captures as close as possible for us what Chris would've experienced. Penn's passion is felt throughout the film and sometimes his love for the subject becomes too much as I wish he had an editor. The film runs about 2 and a half hours which makes for a few slow spots and one too many repetitive Eddie Vedder tunes.

However I would say the final third of the film is the most powerful with some of the most brilliant scenes I've seen all year. The best comes when Hal Holbrook arrives, where the young adventurer comes in contact with the old man who has seen it all. It was fascinating to see the two men from different generations discuss their take on life, and the spiritual speech done by Holbrook brings the film to full circle.

The Alaskan scenes are also powerful as Hirsch bravely reenacts for us Chris' final days and the result is a tour de force.

Despite what one may think about Chris' motives, it's hard not to be inspired by his courage. Here was someone who didn't look back, and perhaps learned he didn't have all the answers, it was a harsh lesson payed for with the ultimate price, still there was that special quality in Chris that makes him unique and something I envy.

3.5 stars out of 4