Revival Review: Go West Young Man, Into The Wild

In honor of Penn and Hirsch's most recent team up in Milk (and the fact that I just saw it again on DVD), I thought it might be time for a revival review of Into The Wild.

I’ll be the first to admit, that I like a lot of movies. In point of fact, my DVD collection is currently at 312. But that aside, it’s not very often that I see a movie I truly love: a movie that inspires me to be better or try harder (however cheesy that may sound). The first time I saw Into the Wild, I was blown away. Emile Hirsch’s performance as the ultimately doomed Alaskan adventurer, Christopher McCandless, is mesmerizing. I imagine a lot of people know someone like the character of Chris, a new-experience junkie who has a gripe with materialism. Many of these people may tend towards a drifter existence, causing them to shower and shave less, therefore giving them that icky hippie vibe. Chris McCandless wasn’t a hippie though (especially since he lived in the 80’s and 90’s), but it would be easy to write him off as one. Through reading Jon Krakauer’s original book Into the Wild as well as the real Chris McCandless’ diary, Director Sean Penn was able to show a character that in spite of his incredible gift with people, in the end, was left entirely alone. 

Many readers have dismissed McCandless’ story as nothing more than the tale of an irresponsible and arrogant boy who got what

he deserved by thinking he could conquer nature without the proper tools. Even the Alaskan rangers said if he’d only taken a map with a list of the emergency cabins on it (one of which was down the river from his campsite), the story would have ended differently. Ultimately what I took away from this film and this story had nothing to do with the ending, that was just a detail. The film felt like taking the ride you always wanted to go on but never did, the one where at the end, you would sit and reflect on “what a long, strange trip it’d been.” The movie consists of an incredible supporting cast alongside Hirsch, most notably old-timer Hal Holbrook, newcomer Kristen Stewart and narrator Jena Malone. Malone's soothing voice, as Chris' sister, glides through the film, giving you insights to the boy he was before he became the drifter we see now (this is Hirsch and Malone's second film together, they played boyfriend and girlfriend in The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys). The film flashes back to blurred Polaroid colored shots of Chris and his sister growing up in a home of deceit under their parents, played by veterans Marcia Gay Harden and the always wonderful William Hurt. We're led to believe that because of Chris' lack of respect for them not just as parents, but as people, that this led directly to his descent into the wild. 

Chris gives his savings to charity, burns what cash he has, abandons his car on a beach, and leaves the life he knew behind. As he meets people, like Jan (Catherine Keener) and Wayne (Vince Vaughn) and whoever else happens across his path, and starts rambling on about the merits of having nothing, there are times when you want to write him off or even smack him upside the head. "He's just some annoying kid who's read too many books for his own good," you'll say. Part of that's true, but he grows on you, to the point where I could not get this character out of my head. To see someone so incredibly free, and yet not at all, really does make you reflect on yourself and what does ultimately matter the most. We see that Chris has a way of making people fall in love with him without trying, whether they're a married hippie couple in a rut, a scheming business man, a grandchildless grandfather, or a 15 year old love struck girl. He's the metal and they're all magnets. He could do anything, and yet we find him serving fries or cutting wheat just to make enough cash so he can hoof it to Alaska. 

Sean Penn directs with a clear vision not only of McCandless, but of his expansive and often breathtaking surroundings. The film is beautifully shot, bringing you on that cross country road trip you keep telling yourself you'll take. Chris, who sets out with unwavering determination to abandon his parents and make it to Alaska, finds himself being unexpectedly affected by the strangers he meets, and even more taken aback when he realizes all his theories, notions and beliefs mean nothing without someone to share them with. One of the most heartbreaking and perfectly performed parts of the film is when Chris meets Ron Franz (Holbrook), an elderly man who takes him into his home. Their friendship is pivotal for both men, and ultimately leads to one of the best scenes in the film. But, as I said before, despite all the people he encounters who try to show him how important family is, Chris ends up trapped in the wilderness alone. But as Malone's narration tells us, he needed to escape, and he needed to go to Alaska to do it. I truly don't want to give too much away, especially since the film has a million memorable "must see" parts, but I can tell you, it all makes for one hell of a movie. 

Short and Sweet

I literally cannot lavish enough praise on this film, and I cannot recommend enough. For all Penn's onscreen credits, his turn as a director in this will be the most memorable for me. Hirsch is just... bangarang.

Fav Quotes

"Mr. Franz, I think careers are a 20th century invention and I don't want one."

-Christopher McCandless

"You're a super apple! And I'm a supertramp."

-Christopher McCandless

Into The Wild Trailer

Movie Review: Drink Up

I loved Emile Hirsch in Milk. This may not be a traditional way to start a review about a film starring Sean Penn, but despite excellent performances elicited from Penn and good ones from James Franco and Josh Brolin, I loved Hirsch the best. Of course, I love Emile in almost everything, and have made it a life-goal to become the next Mrs. Hirsch, but please, don't let that color my review. From his mop of curly brown hair, to his coke bottle glasses, I adored seeing Emile go gay. Now, that I've gotten my praise for Hirsch out of the way, lets get down to brass tacks. Sean Penn's done it again. He literally becomes Harvey Milk, assassinated gay rights activist, from head to toe. If I had to pick one actor in Hollywood who is a true chameleon, it would have to be Penn, hands down. We've seen him play everything from a grief-stricken mafia boss, to a mentally challenged single father, and even a pizza-loving surfer dude. As Harvey, Penn gives a much more joyful performance than I have seen him do in a long time. His last few characters (21 Grams and Mystic River) have been solemn men with hard exteriors, but in Milk, he glides over the audience like a cool, refreshing beverage. You drink up Milk, but before you say "can I have some more please," the joyful presence that lights up the screen, is extinguished. Penn is able to showcase different sides to Harvey throughout the film. You can see him flamboyantly emerging in San Francisco gay culture, but also retreating to his kitchen, contemplating thoughts of his own assassination. Some may find themselves feeling more attached to the character of Milk than others, but I think it would be difficult for anyone to not feel emotional at his tragic death. 

A big reason Milk resonates so much with audiences is the reality which the characters are based in. I don't mean that they're just based on real people, but that the performances feel relatively un-jaded by film. These are people you know, minus the seventies clothing. The fight they fought then, is one we're still fighting now. With the recent voting of Prop 8, it appears that little has changed from Harvey's "recruiting" days to now. Gay people may be entitled to privacy regarding their orientation in relation to their jobs or health care, but they're still not allowed the same rights I have as a heterosexual. Who knows how much the film will ultimately do in changing anyone's perspective, but it does reiterate the importance of never giving up on the issues that matter. I can only hope that the people who most need to see the film, will, but my skeptical side thinks probably not. Beyond its political message, Milk is also a love story. It's about the love affair that people had with Harvey, and how that enabled him to have short-lived, yet successful, effect on real lives. He saved people, and all of it might never have happened if not for a chance meeting with a handsome boy named Scott.

Scott is played by James Franco, and while it's nice to see Franco show us yet another side to himself, I wouldn't say he stands out in this film (for a better example of Franco's versatility see Pineapple Express). However, I can see why Gus Van Sant cast him. He's a likable, good looking guy, who emanates real warmth throughout the entire movie. You can appreciate the relationship he develops with Harvey, but it never quite sweeps you off your feet. As an alternative to the warmth shown by Franco, Josh Brolin plays his cards close to the vest. It's been a good couple of years for Brolin, hitting the big time with No Country for Old Men, and recently starring in Oliver Stone's W. As San Francisco City Supervisor, he keeps you at a distance, but lets you in just enough to know he'll explode any minute. Again, Brolin's performance fits in the film, but was not a particular stand out. Side bar characters played by Alison Pill and Diego Luna end up generating more original and memorable performances, even if featured in only a handful of scenes. Lesser known Jospeh Cross is also great, as well as Denis O'Hare, who plays Senator John Briggs (aka devil spawn of Anita Bryant).  

With Milk representing Van Sant's return to mainstream cinema, I wondered how indie it would end up feeling. The man has already proved himself capable of helming a bigger budget production, but the last few years he's spent doing films like Elephant and Last Days (both disturbing and unbelievably quiet), so I had to wonder if he would turn Milk into a dramatically paced 24 hours leading up to the murder. Luckily, Van Sant revisited his roots, and gave us a joyous yet still calamitous retelling of a man's life, who deserves to be remembered. Milk draws you in to a world of the past, but frequently reminds you that history has a way of repeating itself. 

Short and Sweet

Larger than life man collides with gay rights movement, and suddenly what was happening on Castro Street exploded over the rest of the country. The end of his story is not the reason worth telling it. Harvey Milk's life makes for a great story because of the people that surrounded him, and the things that he accomplished while still alive. He was inspiration for so many from the past, and maybe this movie can help him become an inspiration for people now. Sean Penn once again lights up the screen along with protege Emile Hirsch. See the film and experience warmth and heart that radiates from the entire cast (except Josh Brolin). 

Fav Quotes

"Can two men reproduce?"   

"No, but God knows we keep trying."  - Dan White and Harvey Milk

"Are you on uppers or something?"

"No, this is just plain old me."  - Scott Smith and Harvey Milk