FP4 pick of the week

A journey through mortality and transcendentalism

PICK #15: “Into the Wild” (2007) Director: Sean Penn

Info & Trailer:

http://www.blockbuster.com/catalog/movieDetails/288216

OR

http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Into_the_Wild/70075064?lnkctr=srchrd-sr&strkid=304615976_0_0

ENTRY: This is a little of the beaten path of my other FP4 picks. The plot is not light by any means and has some very deep and emotional aspects that you would expect from a philosophy book. HOWEVER, it is based on a true story which has a draw in itself. I am highly recommending the book also as it fills in the blanks much better than the movie does.

SYNOPSIS: The movie centers around our main character, Chris McCandless (a.k.a. Alexander Supertramp). Chris gives up his material life after graduation and disappears from his former life to explore nature at it's finest. Though he left to escape human contact, he finds himself still very drawn to relationships with people that take him trustingly into their lives along the way. However, his ultimate goal, was to spend a summer in Alaska and living off the land... alone, very alone. This is the physical journey. There is a sub-plot that follow a philosophical view of survival, mortality, religion and, off course, a heavy dose of social psychology/dysfunction mixed in.

Scope: If you don't enjoy nature... if you don't see even small spiritual connections when you hiking, camping, etc... the movie may not be right for you. However, if you have a strong draw to be outdoors and view God's creation close up and see natural wonders and scenery, this could be a winner for you. It does take somewhat a light approach to "living of the land" and leaving society behind. However, it crosses over to a transcendental side that asks some probing questions about risk-taking, shutting society out, forgiveness for loved ones, finding yourself through nature, anger, connecting with nature and God. It is an awesome story simply because it is a true story... though not a happy ending...... I have known a few "Alex Supertramps" in my life... and there is a lot of parallels in this story to them and their lives.

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