Into the Wild (2007)

Director:

Sean Penn

Writers (WGA):

Sean Penn (screenplay)
Jon Krakauer (book)

Release Date:

21 September 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Biography | Drama

Tagline:

Your great adventure on Alaska.

Plot:

After graduating from Emory University, top student and athlete Christopher McCandless abandons his possessions, gives his entire $24,000 savings account to charity and hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness. Along the way, Christopher encounters a series of characters that shape his life.

Plot Keywords:

Alaska | Emory University | Wilderness | Charity | Time Clock

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 13 wins & 36 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Emile Hirsch	...	Chris McCandless
Marcia Gay Harden	...	Billie McCandless
William Hurt	...	Walt McCandless
Jena Malone	...	Carine McCandless / Additional Narrator
Brian H. Dierker	...	Rainey (as Brian Dierker)
Catherine Keener	...	Jan Burres
Vince Vaughn	...	Wayne Westerberg
Kristen Stewart	...	Tracy Tatro
Hal Holbrook	...	Ron Franz
Jim Gallien	...	Himself
James O'Neill	...	Graduation Reader (as James J. O'Neill)
Malinda McCollum	...	Waitress
Paul Knauls	...	Building Manager
Zach Galifianakis	...	Kevin
Craig Mutsch	...	Wayne's Crew #1

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some nudity.

Runtime:

148 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Danish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:R | Ireland:15A | Finland:K-11 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Germany:12 | France:Unrated | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:13 | Brazil:12 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | South Korea:15 | Singapore:NC-16 | Netherlands:12 | Italy:VM14 | Denmark:11 | Austria:10 | South Africa:13L | Australia:M | Iceland:7

Filming Locations:

Anchorage, Alaska, USA

Company:

Paramount Vantage

Trivia:

Sean Penn once envisioned Leonardo DiCaprio as Christopher Johnson McCandless and Marlon Brando as Ron Franz when he first became interested in making the film.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When Christopher is walking in downtown Los Angeles, a UPS delivery truck passes directly behind him labeled "ups.com", an inappropriate internet reference for 1992.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Christopher McCandless:Mom! Mom! Help me.

Movie Connections:

References The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

Soundtrack:

Guaranteed

Sneaks Up On You

INTO THE WILD definitely works as a film - I had read the book so I certainly knew the tragic story of this young man's life but I was blown away by the performances. In fact, to have this young talent Emile Hirsch working with the old, legendary Hal Holbrook makes the film a must see - in fact, their scene near the end in the truck is one of the best pieces of acting I have ever seen on film - Holbrook is amazing there. He deserves a Best Supporting Actor nomination (but probably won't get it). The film is by no means perfect - there are pacing problems but Penn does use the flashbacks incredibly well and the film builds power as it goes along. Hirsch is so real - I remember noticing how talented he was in the indie flick Dangerous Life Of Altar Boys and I also thought he was very good in the so-so Alpha Dog film. But Penn gets a terrific performance out of him as well as Catherine Keener, Vince Vaughn, Wm. Hurt, Kirsten Stewart, jena Malone and everyone else for that matter. I can see how this film might not be for every one, but I was very moved by it and days later - certain images and moments stayed with me. Penn is getting better as a filmmaker with each movie he makes.