Into the Wild

[jchrisobrien]

There are so many neat eateries in Porter Exchange!  At first I thought it very odd that you would have 3 different noodle places, a Korean restaurant, and a sushi bar all in a tiny area, and that they would wither from competition.  I was told that come Friday and Saturday the table are all jammed with people, spilling out into the main hallway, so I think they all manage to do alright.  I'll have to return and try some of the noodle joints, especially Tampopo.

I don't know if I would have normally seen Into the Wild, but I was told my cousin David was the gaffer on it by my aunt, so I could expect to be asked about it over Christmas.  I was glad that I did.  Based on a true story, it chronicles the adventures of Chris McCandless, who gives away all of his money saved for college and leaves his family to journey across America, finally ending up living alone in the Alaskan wilderness.  His story is a very personal one, his reasons for leaving everything behind specific.  He reminds me of a few friends I had in high school: fiercely idealistic, hopelessly naive, immersed in literature and looking for Truth.  His character brims over with wisdom and insight, but it's often clouded by a rose colored view of the world.  He will make grandiose decisions (like burning money) but still seeks out work later to finance his trip to Alaska.

His journey across America introduces him to a wide and variety assortment of people.  I kept waiting for something bad to happen to him, for him to run into someone who abuses him or takes advantage.  Outside of one minor incident, his journey is amazingly safe.  Perhaps that is a reflection of how he views the world; not giving much time for the bad and reveling in the good.  It translates well into the film.  Chris does come off a bit of a jerk sometimes.  His advice to to some to "reach out and take what you want" is especially ironic and little bit hurtful.  Eventually, he does come to a realization that sometimes the world is in fact bigger than you, and can't be overcome with a smile and a backpack of goods.  As a postcard tour of America, it's beautiful.  As a quest for truth, it's deliciously Quixotic.  It's practically out of theaters right now, but if you can't catch it at the Capitol, rent it when it comes out.

Comments

[sephardic.livejournal.com]

i read the book earlier this year. since i already had rich memories from the text; i found myself stunned by how adeptly the film walked through that journey. the presentation was often innovative, unpredictable, anti-hollywood. visual and sound choices tended to be subtle and unusual, too.

SPOILER WARNING -- the dust jacket description of the book reveals something essential, if you'd prefer to be surprised. link to book info below.

http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=2-9780307387172-3

[silas7.livejournal.com]

I'll have to pick up the book and check out all that was left unsaid.

[sephardic.livejournal.com]

No need to buy the book new... borrow my copy indefinitely. :)

[silas7.livejournal.com]

Can do, you should bring it by the next time we hang out, whenever that is. ;)

[kali-ya.livejournal.com]

I read the book when it came out a few years ago, and it touched me deeply. It was like a fairytale, Chris's level of idealism an sense of innocence was touching. It was his idealism and innocence that took him on that amazing journey, but it was also what killed him, and completely broke my heart at the end.

[silas7.livejournal.com]

He was like Peter Pan in a way, and refused to "grow up". That was clearly what was going on with his conversation with Vince Vaughn's character. I'm interested to read the book and see how much more of that is explored in there.