Sean Penn is a great actor. I doubt you’ll get much of an argument from most people on that declaration. However, his ability as a Writer/Director is debatable. Penn’s first three films as Director -The Indian Runner, The Crossing Guard and The Pledge – all had moments of greatness, but on the whole they failed to be complete narratives. They were dark, maudlin stories that tip-toed the line of self-indulgent melodrama. Penn has concentrated on his stellar acting career in recent years having not donned the Directing cap since 2001. That was until last year, when Penn chose to adapt Jon Krakauer’s best-selling novel Into the Wild. It is easily Penn’s best film behind the camera and one of 2007’s top movies.

In 1990, Christopher McCandless graduates from college and does something totally out of the ordinary. He donates his life savings to charity, rips-up his social security card, burns his loose cash and sets-off on a solitary journey of self-discovery. Telling no one – including his family – Christopher rejects a life of boardroom meetings and material obsession. Instead, he wanders off the grid to become one with nature. After assuming the name “Alexander Supertramp,” his travels take him west where he meets a host of memorable characters: hippie-couple Jan and Rainey, who play the role of surrogate parents; legally-challenged vagabond farmer Wayne Westberberg, who plays big-brother to Alex; lonely leather engraver Ron Franz, who willingly accepts a grandfatherly role.

Alex swims the Pacific, kayaks the Colorado River, rides the Southern California rails and climbs the hills around the Salton Sea. He leaves all his relationships behind, believing he needs only his books and wits to survive the Alaskan Wilderness. Alex settles in an abandoned school bus and makes a home for himself. The harsh and often cruel realities of nature prove difficult for Alex. Permanent solitude does not equate to happiness. However, this realization comes too late for Alex. His desperation to survive leads to carelessness, which brings a tragic end to Alex’s courageous exit from modern society.

Sean Penn hit this story out of the park. It is one of the most original character studies I have ever seen. Penn jumps back-and-forth in time, utilizing pinpoint flashbacks, to unfold a multi-layered narrative. It would be easy to define McCandless as a crazy anti-establishment rich kid, but there was much more to his character. He was an intelligent, caring and fearless young man who lived his life his way. Penn refuses to judge McCandless for his choices. To do so would be irresponsible and unfair. Instead, the Writer/Director presents the truth of his protagonist’s existence, and allows the audience to formulate their own opinion.

Emile Hirsch delivers a spot-on performance in the lead role. His ability to capture the essence of McCandless makes the film work. The success of Into the Wild depended largely on Hirsch’s portrayal of a very complex man. How Hirsch didn’t get an Oscar nod is puzzling. He carries the film on his shoulders, aided by Penn’s steady direction. Quality additional support comes from Hal Holbrook (in an Oscar nominated performance), Vince Vaughn, William Hurt, Marcia Gay Harden and the always-convincing Catherine Keener. Gorgeous cinematography and a dynamite soundtrack featuring songs from Eddie Vedder accentuate an expertly-structured screenplay. Into the Wild is a thought-provoking film that deserved many more accolades than it received last year.

The trailer for Into the Wild:

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