Writer/Director: Sean Penn
Starring: William Hurt, Emile Hirsch and Jena Malone
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have made films earning recognition of William Hurt. Ever since his rise to fame in the 1990’s, Hurt has created memorable movies. Whether it’s bold political leaders, villagers or superhero managers, Hurt has played many strong characters. Arguably, Hurt’s finest strength as an actor is his strong presence. He is one of those rare actors which has always had an aptitude for stealing show in supporting roles which require limited screen time. Even when he’s not the main focus of the film, Hurt has always left a strong impression. Through his ability to create characters which are simple to relate to, Hurt has been an actor that audiences value. Despite reaching age of retirement, Hurt has never lost his passion for making engaging entertainment. Although he is best known for his role as Thunderbolt Ross in the MCU, Hurt has proven he can make great movies in any genre that audiences value. Throughout a illustrious career, Hurt has made countless commemorated movies which are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Hurt and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Into the Wild” is definitely my favourite. Ever since its release in 2007, Sean Penn’s movie has stood the test of time as a survival classic. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best movies ever made about survival. At the centre of it all is an excellent performance from William Hurt, who embodies the father of an adolescent embarking on journeys into the wilderness. Ultimately, what makes “Into the Wild” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most movies about survival, it tackles strong themes which everyone would definitely relate to. A mesmerizing masterpiece about survival in the wilderness, there are many reasons why “Into The Wild” is a commemorated movie that is worth seeing.
Based on the iconic book, “Into the Wild” tells the true story of a hitchhiker that survived in wilderness. Emile Hirsch portrays Christopher McCandless, a graduate student with a love for wilderness. Christopher is a bright student that has always had big dreams of building a successful career. However, Christopher’s life forever when he embarks on an adventure to the wilderness causing disaster. Acting against the wishes of his family, Christopher abandons all his possessions to embark on a wilderness journey. Christopher’s dad Walt (William Hurt) isn’t happy about his son’s wilderness journey. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Christopher embarks on an adventure towards nature. Faced with a dilemma, Christopher is forced to question whether it’s truly possible for him to survive in the wilderness in America. Faced with the danger of the wilderness, Chris wonders whether it’s possible for him to ever achieve happiness.
Sean Penn is a newcomer towards themes of survival. Before he made “Into the Wild”, Penn had never made a movie about survival in the wilderness. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture lives of people seeking to survive in the wilderness but he succeeded. Using strong cinematography, Penn captures a student on a journey to discover the wilderness that causes adversity. Penn effectively uses montages to capture the life of a graduate student upon a wilderness journey. For instance, montages enhance the hitchhiking scene. During this memorable scene, Christopher embarks on a journey to discover the wilderness away from his family. Through montages, Penn captures the hardship that men on survival journeys go through. Montages are complex techniques to use in films. As the Russo Brothers’ “Avengers: Infinity War” demonstrated, montages elevate classic comic-book movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through bold visuals, Penn captures the tension wilderness survivors are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Into the Wild” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well-made. Penn’s decisions to shoot the film in real-life locations across America is risky, but it works tremendously. Penn successfully uses real-life locations in America to capture painful tensions that wilderness survivors are facing. For instance, the real-life locations in America elevate the snow survival scene. In this heartbreaking scene, Chris struggles to survive in the cold landscapes of mountains in the U.S. Real-locations are tricky techniques to use in movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Eddie Vedder’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden which wilderness survivors bear. Through engaging production design, Penn captures the lives of survivors in America which experience a grim decline.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Into the Wild” is a film about survival which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses voice over narration to capture wilderness survivors impacted by dangerous violence. Throughout the movie, Penn deftly uses narration to capture the lives of survivors affected by wilderness violence. For instance, narration elevates the sister reflection scene. During this heartfelt scene, Chris’ sister Carine gives a poignant reflection about her brother’s survival in the wilderness causing tension. One admires narration capturing the lives of men in the wilderness facing tension. Through unique narration, Penn creates a portrait of a man in the wilderness that audiences can easily relate to. Narration is a tricky technique to use in film. As Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” suggested, narration enhances movies about stockbrokers. Nevertheless, it works well in this film. Through a spectacular screenplay, Penn captures the lives of wilderness survivors that face a price to pay.
One appreciates phenomenal performances.
William Hurt delivers one of his best career performances as Walt McCandless. Hurt first gained appreciation for playing comic book characters. With “Into the Wild”, however, he took on his most emotional role. It isn’t to play a real-life survivor that lived in the wilderness causing tragedy but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most emotional role. Hurt has often thrived at playing emotional heroes under pressures, and “Into the Wild” showcased his strengths as an actor. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated actors that’s working today.
Emile Hirsch is exceptional as a man seeking to survive in the wilderness causing disaster. Hirsch has always been one of those actors work a strong screen presence and “Into the Wild” showcases his strengths as an actor. Whether he’s seeking to survive on wilderness or having a tense argument with parents, Hirsch uses his captivating body language to create a character which is compelling. It’s a powerful performance from one of the finest actors working today.
Finally, “Into the Wild” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing the beauty of the wild. Unlike most movies about the wilderness, the movie tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It discusses strong themes including identity, grief and trauma that would definitely resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with wild nerds to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about survival which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Into the Wild” is one of those rare films about wilderness which everyone would definitely adore.
Fans of William Hurt will definitely appreciate “Into the Wild” and so will movie-goers seeking thoughtful entertainment. A captivating classic about survival, it honours an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about a real-life hitchhiker that embarked on a journey into the wilderness, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated that has created a lasting legacy manufacturing memorable movies contributing towards happiness becoming an icon in the entertainment business.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 