Into the Wild
2007
*****
Director: Sean Penn
Cast: Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Jena Malone, Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, Hal Holbrook, Kristen Stewart, Brian H. Dierker, Zach Galifianakis
Christopher McCandless, a university graduate, wants no part in the trappings of modern-day life. He gives away his possessions, departs without a word to his family, and sets out to live in the Alaskan wilderness. Along the way, he forms deep and meaningful connections with the people he meets. Sean Penn's haunting and mesmerising drama, adapted from Jon Krakauer's 1996 non-fiction book, tells an intriguing and heartbreaking story about an idealistic but naive young man in search of ultimate freedom. Emile Hirsch gives a star-making lead performance. The soundtrack features original songs by Eddie Vedder.
