Into the Wild

Into the Wild, directed by Sean Penn and starring Emile Hirsch, is based on Jon Krakauers’s non-fiction novel of the same name.  The film recounts the true story of Christopher McCandless, an intelligent Emory University graduate who rids himself of almost all material possessions, flees the city, and heads westward.  In addition, McCandless takes definitive steps to sever both emotional and physical ties with his family.  As the story unfolds, it is revealed that like most families, the McCandlesses are far from perfect.  While Billie and Walt McCandless, played by Marcia Gay Harden and William Hurt, have achieved financial success, their marriage is an emotional disaster. The internal family strife is one of the chief factors that drives the young McCandless into the wild.

From a theological perspective, the value of Into the Wild lies in its ability to explain the meaning and consequences of commitment.  The late Canadian theologian, Bernard Lonergan, said that commitment arises when “one has to decide for oneself what one is to do with oneself, with one's life, with one's five talents or two or lonely one.”  Lonergan contrasts persons of commitment with drifters.  Drifters lack commitment and are therefore “content to do what everyone else is doing, to say what everyone else is saying, to think what everyone else is thinking.”  The situational tragedy of drifters is that they are all in the same aimless boat.  Unless they individually decide to abandon the security of the boat and cast themselves into the deep, they will never arrive at commitment.

With his goal of arriving in Alaska firmly in mind, McCandless steps out of the company of drifters, faces the problem of personal existence and becomes a young man of commitment.  His journey takes him deep into the wilderness, and it is there, in complete solitude, that he realizes that as a human being he is called to share his life with others. Thus, he comes to the insight that ‘withdrawal is for return’.  The desire that issues from this insight is ultimately thwarted and McCandless is left to remain in the wild.

From an aesthetic point of view, Into the Wild offers an excellent portrait of the vast and resplendent beauty of the American West.  For this reason it is well worth spending a few extra pounds to see it on the big screen.  Watching the film on your laptop, while convenient, would be an injustice to the striking scenery.  These scenes are well accompanied by the deep and melodic tunes of Eddie Vedder.  The lyrics are meaningful and contribute to the overall narrative.  The song "No Ceiling" succinctly evokes the message that ‘withdrawal is for return’ with the words, As I walk the hemisphere/I've got my wish to up and disappear/I've been wounded, I've been healed/Now for landing I've been, for landing I've been cleared.

Those persons who find themselves searching for meaning in life are apt to identify with Christopher’s existential search.  They may even be inspired to undertake an adventure of their own.  Of course, they need not mirror Christopher’s journey.  In some cases, to do so would be nothing less than stupid.  For example, if you are compelled to kayak down a raging river, wear a helmet! 

Beyond such pragmatic considerations, the value of the adventure is found in the ability to ask questions and seek satisfying answers.  In this case, there are two primordial questions:  “Who am I?” and “What am I to do?”  For those who honestly face the problem of personal existence, they are questions that cannot be avoided.  And, as McCandless himself discovers, their answers cannot be obtained in isolation, but must be fully discovered in the context of the human community.

In short, under the direction of Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch plays a convincing and inspiring role.  Into the Wild is a superb film and worthy of viewing.

John Friday

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