Into The Wild - Anyone see it?
 

I watched it last night and thought it was excellent. I am a Jon Krakauer fan and have read all of his books. This one in particular is a very interesting story. Sean Penn produced the movie and I was pretty captivated by the way it was put together. Eddie Vetter does pretty much the entire soundtrack solo/acoustic and it is moving. The complex theme really rings relevant for me...the balance between love for people and love for nature. People who know the story seem to be polarized... believing McCandless is either a complete idiot - selfish and irresponsible, or admiring his sense of adventure and simplicity - shunning materialism and pretense. In the end, McCandless' documented final thoughts are "happiness is not complete unless it is shared". Thought provoking movie for me.

Anyone else see it and have any reaction?


JA

No I Hate That Liberal America Bashing Sean Penn.

What a coincidence! I have read the book a few years ago and found it very intriguing. Just last night I started to watch the movie. Twenty minutes into it I actually thought it too slow and boring. Maybe I was in the wrong mood, I don´t know. I will give it another try in a couple of days, as I liked the book.

I enjoyed the film as well. Penn (and the book, apparently) took some artistic license to suggest McCandless' fate was due more to tragedy than naivety, but that made for a better story.

How do you really feel Tabs? Yeah...I'm not a fan of Sean Penn either...that's why I didn't go see it at the theater.

And yes, livi, I would agree, about 15 minutes into it I thought it was going pretty slow. I can't say the action really picked up any, but the storyline got more and more intense as time went on. Certainly not a thriller, but worthwhile in my opinion nonetheless.


JA

I haven't seen the movie but I've read the book about 16 times as part of biography class I took in college. Krakauer is a great story teller. I often wondered, if the book was written in a more 'chronological' sense - from beginning to end, no 'flashbacks' (can't think of the literary words now), would many of the readers draw the same conclusion?

Sean Penn is an America HATER...

Sean Penn is a talented actor whom I won't patronage. I don't have to agree with an actor's particular political viewpoints, but he is one I won't give my money to.

Rob Reiner is another actor/director/producer who isn't going to get a dime out of me if I can help it.

I like the book and read it twice, I have also seen the film. I thought the film version was very good and followed the story well. I think MCandless wasnt an idiot but was rather niave.

Read the book and loved it. I can't say I have plans to see the film though. Maybe I will, maybe I won't.

I enjoyed it. Not nearly as much as the book, however.

The film is worth sitting through the first 90 minutes or so in order to get to Hal Holbrook's character. He has maybe 5 minutes of screen time, but positively steals the entire movie. Its a fantastic and memorable performance.







Tim

INTO THE WILD was my favorite movie from last year. It very seriously struck a chord with me.

I really liked the book (read it years ago), but the movie was tedious, the kid making bad decisions throughout.

In the end, I was rooting for the wild.

Read the book, haven't seen the movie. McCandless walked a fine line between idiot and naive. Crazy to think that the highway wasn't even very far away...

I can see how (much like how I felt when watching 'Grizzly Man') you'd quickly begin to root for nature to win this one.

I am reading the book now (I started it when this thread started up); it's interesting that Krakauer approaches his topic as if he's unraveling a mystery, and Penn presented the story as being one of a spiritual journey.

My wife and I both read the book as fast as we could get thru it....Loved it but really not sure why, except for the writing style.

Is/was the movie on TV or only for rent?

I picked up the book at an airport and read it on a return flight from Miami. Except for the author's forays into his personal climbing adventures, the book was enjoyable. Personally I think the editor should have cut those sections mercilessly as they impede the progress of the story and frankly do not fit in with the rhythm of the rest of the book.

That said, the book struck a strong chord with me. My beloved brother effectively abandoned our family (all 3 living generations) and moved to Montana to live in a tent. Very strange - he did go "into the wild."

For me the book was inciteful and often painful as I recognize what this young man did and why in the actions of my brother. Every day I pray for my brother's wellness and safety.

angela

I generally avoid watching the movie after reading the book, but I might give this one a chance.

What did the critics think?

Paul.

I saw it and liked it. But I didn't get into the political aspect of it. It looked like a good movie and it was IMO.

Critically, it was well-received.