Into the Wild

"Into the Wild" is the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who  breaks free from his parents and chooses a life devoid of material possessions and in constant movement.

In fact, much of the plot unfolds like a road movie, in which the protagonist puts into practice his existential philosophy and in which director Sean Penn gives the audience a snapshot of American society.

McCandless, who in his quest adopted the nickname Alexander Supertramp, is a figure whose death in the Alaskan tundra elicited diametrically opposed reactions: while critics speak of simple suicide, his followers find in it inspiring elements.

The version director Sean Penn gives is based on the book "Into the Wild", by Jon Krakauser, who clearly admires Supertramp’s journey. The result is a poignant portrait that leaves the pleasant feeling that the character deserved the love he professed.

In fact, the story that the director unfolds is simple and powerful, narrating with beauty and grace the different stages on the path of an intense and tireless traveler, willing to take just what is enough to continue.

At the same time, "Into the Wild" poses, either through the dialogues of the characters or through the emphasis on the protagonist adventures, a number of moral issues of great importance.

In general, a picture with good performances and beautifully filmed.

Director: Sean Penn

Writers: Sean Penn (screenplay), Jon Krakauer (book)

Stars: Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn and Catherine Keener