I loved it, but I've been waiting 9 years for someone to make a movie out of the book I've read at least 20 times (and to which the movie is very faithful.) It would be awesome if this movie/book caught on with a new generation. Yes, it's a cautionary tale, but since almost everyone in the developed world needs to learn the opposite lesson, it's also an inspiring one. It's definitely the kind of movie people will be talking about and debating for hours after they see it.
Here's the trailer.
can i admit how gay i am and say that i watched sean penn on oprah yesterday and it was fucking awesome. Love the book, i'm so seeing the movie and i only see like 2 movies a year.
Posted by: Jen | September 21, 2007 at 02:44 PM
You should read The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert. It has similar themes, and it sort of like what might have happened to Chris McCandless had he survived.
Posted by: mokin | September 21, 2007 at 07:50 PM
Very, very powerful movie, highly recommended. Though Penn makes more than a few ill-advised aesthetic choices, I was impressed at the performances he was able to capture. Besides the obvs. lead one, it's remarkable how much the supporting actors are able to invest relative to their screen time.
I was also relieved that it wasn't a simple paean to McCandless, showing that his act was equal parts admirable, courageous, self-righteous and hopelessly misguided. It would be interesting to pair this film w/ Grizzly Man and compare the posthumous reputations of the two men. (Sorry for once again making my comment the length of the post...)
Posted by: josephchilders | September 23, 2007 at 10:04 AM
I really want to see the movie, but it's not playing in the area where I live. Do you know of a website that lists where it's being released at, because I can't? Thanks!
Posted by: Amanda | September 25, 2007 at 05:44 PM