INTO THE WILD (2007)

Summary:

Based on the true story of Christopher McCandless, "Into the Wild" chronicles the journey of a young man who, after graduating with honors from Emory University, abandons his privileged life, gives away his savings, and hitchhikes across America to live in the Alaskan wilderness. Renaming himself "Alexander Supertramp," McCandless seeks to shed the superficiality of modern society and find ultimate freedom and self-discovery in nature, encountering a diverse cast of characters who shape his philosophical outlook along the way.

The film delves into McCandless's complex motivations, his strained relationship with his parents, and his passionate pursuit of an authentic existence, ultimately leading him to an isolated and tragic end. Directed by Sean Penn, the movie is a poignant exploration of idealism, the allure of the wild, and the profound human need for connection, even in the pursuit of solitude.

Keywords: Into the Wild, 2007, Emile Hirsch, Christopher McCandless, Adventure, Drama, Biography, Alaska, Wilderness, Sean Penn.

Plot:

The film opens with Christopher McCandless hitchhiking into the Alaskan wilderness in April 1992, preparing for his solitary expedition. The narrative then flashes back to his graduation from Emory University in 1990. Chris is a brilliant and athletic young man, but deeply disillusioned with the materialistic values of his affluent parents, Walt and Billie McCandless, and the perceived hypocrisy of society. He rejects their gift of a new car and, after his graduation, secretly donates his entire savings of $24,000 to Oxfam. He then cuts off all contact with his family, including his beloved sister Carine, and embarks on a cross-country journey, adopting the pseudonym "Alexander Supertramp."

Chris's initial adventures take him through the Arizona desert, where he abandons his car after a flash flood and burns the remaining cash in his wallet, severing his last ties to his old life. He travels by hitchhiking, freight trains, and canoeing, embracing a transient lifestyle. In northern California, he meets Jan Burres and her boyfriend Rainey, a couple of aging hippies who are struggling with their own relationship issues. They take a liking to Chris, seeing him as a surrogate son, and offer him a ride and companionship. Chris stays with them for a period, developing a bond, but eventually feels the pull to continue his journey westward.

His travels lead him to the Grand Canyon and then to Slab City, California, a desert community of snowbirds and transients. Here, he encounters Tracy Tatro, a teenage girl who develops a crush on him. Chris is kind to her but maintains his emotional distance, unwilling to commit to any relationship that might tie him down. He also meets a friendly Danish couple and works odd jobs to sustain himself. He eventually leaves Slab City, continuing his solitary quest for enlightenment and freedom, often expressing his disdain for societal norms through journal entries and letters.

Chris spends time working for Wayne Westerberg, a grain elevator operator in Carthage, South Dakota. Westerberg offers him a job, a place to stay, and a sense of community, seeing Chris's intelligence and work ethic. Chris forms a strong bond with Wayne and his crew, finding genuine camaraderie, but his restless spirit soon compels him to move on. He ventures south, canoeing down the Colorado River, crossing into Mexico, where he is eventually caught by immigration authorities and returned to the United States. This period highlights his growing self-reliance and his willingness to face challenges head-on.

Later, in Salton City, California, Chris meets Ron Franz, an 80-year-old retired widower who lives alone after losing his family in a car accident. Franz is a kind and lonely man who teaches Chris leatherworking, and they spend considerable time together. Franz becomes deeply fond of Chris, viewing him as the grandson he never had. He even offers to adopt Chris, an offer Chris gently declines, explaining his need for absolute independence. Chris encourages Franz to break free from his routine and explore the world, which Franz eventually does after Chris departs. The bond with Franz is one of the most poignant relationships Chris forms, showcasing his capacity for deep connection despite his pursuit of solitude.

After leaving Franz, Chris returns to Wayne Westerberg in South Dakota, working for him again and saving money for his ultimate goal: Alaska. He promises Westerberg he will return after his Alaskan adventure. During this time, he sends a postcard to Jan and Rainey, expressing his enduring affection. The film frequently intercuts Chris's journey with scenes of his parents and sister Carine grappling with his disappearance, hiring private investigators, and enduring the emotional torment of not knowing if he is alive or dead. These scenes underscore the profound impact of Chris's decision on his family, highlighting the pain and confusion they experience.

Finally, in April 1992, Chris hitchhikes to Fairbanks, Alaska. He is dropped off by Jim Gallien, who gives him a pair of boots and warns him about the harsh conditions. Chris ventures into the Stampede Trail, crossing the treacherous Teklanika River, and discovers an abandoned bus, which he dubs "The Magic Bus." This bus becomes his shelter for the next few months. He lives off the land, hunting small game like squirrels and birds, and reading books by authors like Jack London and Henry David Thoreau. He meticulously documents his thoughts and experiences in his journal, expressing profound joy and a sense of spiritual fulfillment.

As summer progresses, Chris attempts to return to civilization but finds the Teklanika River swollen and impassable due to melting glaciers, making the crossing too dangerous. Trapped, he returns to the bus. His health begins to deteriorate as he struggles to find enough food. He mistakenly eats what he believes to be wild potato seeds, but are in fact toxic wild sweet peas (or perhaps moldy potato seeds, depending on interpretation of the book and film). Weakened by starvation and the poison, he becomes increasingly ill. In his final days, he has a profound realization that "Happiness only real when shared," lamenting his extreme isolation. He envisions his family and friends, and writes a final journal entry before succumbing to starvation in August 1992. His body is discovered by moose hunters a few weeks later. The film concludes with Carine McCandless traveling to Alaska to retrieve her brother's remains, reflecting on his life and the profound, tragic beauty of his journey.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Emile Hirsch as Christopher McCandless / Alexander Supertramp
• Marcia Gay Harden as Billie McCandless
• William Hurt as Walt McCandless
• Jena Malone as Carine McCandless
• Catherine Keener as Jan Burres
• Hal Holbrook as Ron Franz
• Brian H. Dierker as Rainey
• Kristen Stewart as Tracy Tatro
• Vince Vaughn as Wayne Westerberg

Crew:

• Director: Sean Penn
• Screenwriter: Sean Penn
• Based on the book by: Jon Krakauer
• Producers: Sean Penn, Art Linson, Bill Pohlad, John J. Kelly
• Cinematography: Eric Gautier
• Editor: Jay Cassidy
• Music by: Michael Brook, Kaki King, Eddie Vedder

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: September 21, 2007
• Language: English
• Genre: Biographical, Adventure, Drama
• Running Time: 148 minutes
• Accolades: Academy Award nomination for Hal Holbrook (Best Supporting Actor); Golden Globe Award win for Eddie Vedder (Best Original Song - "Guaranteed").