Sean Penn goes 'Into the Wild'
Laura Maldonado
Issue date: 10/18/07 Last update: 10/18/07 at 4:56 PM PST
Section: Arts
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Director Sean Penn takes Jon Krakauer's 1996 bestseller "Into the Wild" to the big screen, reaching different audiences and touching more hearts as he documents Christopher McCandless' startling journey.
Based on the true account of McCandless, a recent Emory University graduate who decided to give his almost $25,000 college fund to charity and live a life of adventure (ultimately leading him to Alaska where he only existed off of nature), the story invites the viewers to reflect and reconsider what is truly important.
Unlike other stories taken to the big screen from books, this one doesn't have the classic cheerful Hollywood ending: "I got very close to the book," said Penn in a conference call on Oct. 4, adding that the film is an "exact" reflection of what he read.
Penn also made notice of the assistance he received in making "Into the Wild." "He [McCandless] left clues behind" such as his letters and postcards. Penn also added that the people McCandless encountered and the positive understanding between Chris and his sister were very helpful in the creation of the film.
In a story as full of McCandless' complex feelings, including resentment toward his parents, freedom of expression was key. The parents did a great job. Penn said, "They were unselfish parents," adding that they were helpful too. "There were no stipulations in what I could or couldn't do," Penn admits saying that in the end "they [McCandless' parents] wanted to celebrate the spirit of their son's journey."
Such a complex character was very well portrayed by Emile Hirsch, who said in the same conference call that through playing McCandless, he saw "a different side of America and got to meet interesting people."
Hirsch added that this experience allowed him to attempt unusual things such as shooting the rapids: "Me and Sean both did rapids in the Colorado River," he said with an animated voice.
Penn does an excellent job directing the film, recounting McCandless' two-year adventure while highlighting the main character's spiritual journey along with his life inquiries, challenges, decisions and trials.
Based on the true account of McCandless, a recent Emory University graduate who decided to give his almost $25,000 college fund to charity and live a life of adventure (ultimately leading him to Alaska where he only existed off of nature), the story invites the viewers to reflect and reconsider what is truly important.
Unlike other stories taken to the big screen from books, this one doesn't have the classic cheerful Hollywood ending: "I got very close to the book," said Penn in a conference call on Oct. 4, adding that the film is an "exact" reflection of what he read.
Penn also made notice of the assistance he received in making "Into the Wild." "He [McCandless] left clues behind" such as his letters and postcards. Penn also added that the people McCandless encountered and the positive understanding between Chris and his sister were very helpful in the creation of the film.
In a story as full of McCandless' complex feelings, including resentment toward his parents, freedom of expression was key. The parents did a great job. Penn said, "They were unselfish parents," adding that they were helpful too. "There were no stipulations in what I could or couldn't do," Penn admits saying that in the end "they [McCandless' parents] wanted to celebrate the spirit of their son's journey."
Such a complex character was very well portrayed by Emile Hirsch, who said in the same conference call that through playing McCandless, he saw "a different side of America and got to meet interesting people."
Hirsch added that this experience allowed him to attempt unusual things such as shooting the rapids: "Me and Sean both did rapids in the Colorado River," he said with an animated voice.
Penn does an excellent job directing the film, recounting McCandless' two-year adventure while highlighting the main character's spiritual journey along with his life inquiries, challenges, decisions and trials.
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