I could write really long this time, but I won't. I could write a lot about this movie to prove it how temporary are its values. But I won't because it doesn't deserve it.
The funny thing is it hides its ephemeral existence with a layer of universalism. It "tells" about the big powers of mankind, society and the original values of nature and Earth. It even uses a true story to earn dramatic sideeffects via the shown "reality". But I have to wake you up from your emotion-driven amazement to point out the real aim of this film. Actually I believe you realized yourself too that this film is a political statement of Sean Penn. It's nothings problem with his view and criticism on things of today (Bush followed by Bush), but I'd like to remind everybody that we are talking about a movie which exploits the above mentioned big values to order of its real propaganda. And that's not so nice..
"Money makes people cautious." Right, it must come from the Devil:) "Career is a 20th century invention." That's stupid, but the main idea is coming through. The elder Bush is on the tv about the neccessity of war. Understand it. We know Penn's arguments for a while, and I said it's ok, actually I agree with him some extent. But what I don't like is to use a real and actually beautiful story of Christopher Johnson McCandless to argue about this temporary shit around us. Because I'm sure that McCandless made his "breakaway" in the early nineties from the society to forget all this ephemer, petty political circus and the whole "hype" around it delivered by the so called society. I'm sure he never wanted to be a protagonist of a film, especially not in that one which exploits his character in order to force through some temporary message.
Next to this ethical question the biggest problem of this film is its demagogy. It formulates its real aims too obvious. I know if you want to deliver a successful propaganda you shouldn't need to be too complicated and indirect. But then don't be surprised if the protagonist draws the conclusion right into your face: "Happiness is only real when shared." McCandless needs to die to prove us: if you leave society you won't solve the problem. You need to change the world around you. Actively. Now.
That's what I call disgusting demagogy (Of course the film landed within the best 150 film ever made on the imdb. Ridiculous. America's conscience through the small stars).
Kerouac, Rousseau and now this poor McCandless are turning/disturbed in their graves. They are used for something they never wanted to express. How his diary says? "Ultimate freedom. No phone, no pool, no pets, no cigarettes." That's right, but then no politics either please.
Shame on you Mr. Bush. Shame on you Mr. Penn.
3 stars for the soundtrack by Eddie Vedder and 2 for Emile Hirsch who is really getting better and better actor.
bonus: pictures of McCandless' real and the film's "magic bus":
5/10
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