Into The Wild

**** Stars

There are trips to the movies, and then there are movie experiences. Into the Wild's journey is so moving and philosophical that it made me feel in places I didn't know existed. The story of Christopher McCandless is the shadow of a life that I would have if I told the establishment to go to hell. I have had this strong sense of rebellion this year towards the status-quo and McCandless lived out a very deep and distant fantasy of mine.

Emile Hirsch gives the best performance of his young career as the promising twenty-two year old college graduate who gave all his money to charity and literally went into the wild in search of something adventurous. His journey transformed him into an iconic figure for the people he met, bordering an image of a spiritual being. Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, and Hal Holbrook are part of the great supporting cast who look at the magic Hirsch's character has brought in their lives. Hal Holbrook as Ron Franz especially, brings such beautiful emotion to the scenes he shares with Hirsch, especially when Chris convinces Ron to prove to himself he can climb a steep hill. The scene brought a hopeful smile I couldn't shake off until the heartbreaking finale, where Chris's journey ends on a tragic note.

Chris McCandless's life ended August 18th, 1992 after accidentally eating a Hedysarum alpinum toxic plant which makes a person unable to swallow therefore causing him to starve. After his death there were Moose hunters who found a devastating note left by Chris in the wilderness of Alaska.

"S.O.S I need your help. I am injured, near death, and too weak to hike out of here. I am all alone, this is no joke. In the name of God, please remain to save me. I am out collecting berries close by and shall return this evening. Thank you, Chris McCandless. August?"

The message of the film brings into question the very reason why humans exist. Is today's society crippling the freedom past generations have so aptly endured? Does any young man have the will power to leave behind a promising life and live out a journey of absolute freedom? Into The Wild, directed with such beauty by Sean Penn brings us an experience you may not understand, but certainly one you won't forget.