Anyone go see "Into the Wild" today?

[Quixote1818]

If so how was it? I read the book several years ago. It's one of my favorite books. I was hoping to see the movie tonight but discovered it isn't playing here in Albuquerque.

[pitohui]

1. i'll give you a bump

i'm interested but worried i may start crying uncontrollably


p.s. it has 84 % at rotten tomatoes

[mokawanis]

2. Haven't seen it yet

but can't wait. Great book and fascinating story, plus I just got back from my first visit to Alaska and want to see the scenery Penn shot.

[likesmountains 52]

3. Not in my town either..but I will see it when it comes here..

[Radio_Lady]

27. Screens in Portland OR for the press only on Monday 9/24.

Undecided at this point.

Reminds me of Grizzly Man (Werner Herzog's work a couple of years ago.)

[GoneOffShore]

4. Haven't seen it, probably won't

Seems like a celebration of a guy without a clue.

Off to the wilderness without a plan - a sure candidate for a Darwin.

[Lethe]

5. i saw a report years ago about this guy and thats the conclusion I came to

if you're gonna do something like that, do it like Dick Proenneke did it. He knew exactly what he was doing and he lived 35 years out in the alaskan wilderness. (till he was 85)

[GoneOffShore]

6. Exactly!

It's way too easy to romanticize clueless jerks who set off without a plan. And when they die, other clueless jerks write books or make movies that make them appear to be heroic figures. And then other clueless jerks buy into the whole clueless jerk scenario.

Of course, sometimes the clueless jerks who buy into the scenario end up winning their own Darwin awards, thus cleaning up the gene pool.


:hide:

[XemaSab]

10. The book has a whole chapter on other clueless jerks who ate it

(not to mention the fact that the whole book is about how clueless the guy was.)

[Quixote1818]

16. Question

Could you live like he did for several years? Coming from wealth and living with homeless, bums, tramps, and winos traveling from town to town all across the country, frequently living off the land for survival? It's not like he simply left his home in the city, went to Alaska then died. He was living a very risky life just like those who lived 200 years ago. Most people who lived 200 years ago died young too.

[Quixote1818]

14. He had survived in the Wildernes living off the land several times

Evidently the mistake he made was similar to those Native Indians had made as well. You might want to learn a little more before you come to such conclusions.

[GoneOffShore]

32. I stand by my original statement.

It's way to easy to romanticize this as a "spiritual quest". Which is what he did and those who call him a "seeker". Plenty of other ways to be a "spiritual seeker" without putting your life in jeopardy.

Of course, one can always think of it as evolution in action. It's good to take stupid out of the gene pool.

[pitohui]

34. i agree with you quixote

i am satisfied that his quest was a valid one and that the mistake he made, was a mistake that anyone could have made, even one who had considerable knowledge of living on his own without the easy fall back of the cash society

i think he had a lot of heart and a lot of smarts but ultimately he ran into a piece of terrible luck

[lligrd]

7. Wow, Some Here Are Really Harsh - He Was Just A Kid

trying to live a dream. I found it to be a very sad and moving story. Haven't seen the movie yet but definitely will. Here is his story for anyone who hasn't heard it:
http://outside.away.com/outside/features/1993/1993_into_the_wild_1.html

[Quixote1818]

15. It's amazing how people like to attack people who follow their dreams

This kid was clearly a very good person with a lot of depth. He had given away $20,000 to charity and lived as free as a bird often living off the land very successfully. Evidently the mistake he made had been made by even Native Indians in Alaska. Had he not made that mistake he probably would still be exploring the world.

These attacks strike me as the attacks of people who are insecure with themselves and attack to feel superior to people. Also, people who haven't taken the time to learn all the facts. I would like to see all those criticizing this kid live like he did for several years coming from wealth and living with homeless, bums, tramps, and winos traveling from town to town all across the country, frequently living off the land for survival. It's not like he simply left his home in the city, went to Alaska then died. He was living a very risky life just like those who lived 200 years ago. Most people who lived 200 years ago died young too.

[Radio_Lady]

35. Beautifully stated, Quixote1818. The time you have spent composing your responses is not wasted.

I admire any human being who strikes out on his/her own while marching to a different drummer.

The job I have (volunteer audio talk show host with in-studio and phoner guests from near and far at Oregon Public Broadcasting) allows me to be curious and open to any idea. I try not to be judgemental while talking to anyone who has a different opinion than mine. During the peak of my radio career which has last for three decades -- and even now as I reach the last fringes of a professional life, I find I am more and more accepting of all the roads other people have travelled.

You have made some excellent points. I do plan to see this movie in preview if I can, and will review it before it opens. (The only thing that might subvert my intent is a possible emergency dental appointment for my husband on Monday.)

Making peace a priority,

Radio Lady Ellen in Oregon

[Quixote1818]

41. Let me know if you see it

I posted a link to the trailer below. You sound like a very open minded, good hearted person who looks for the beauty in the world. Hope you enjoy the movie.

[cobalt1999]

17. I thought he was an asshole of the first degree.

It's one thing to decide to take off, but to not even tell your parents (who had to of been worried sick) means he was completely selfish. Not listening to other people on survival equipment, supplies, etc. means he was either arrogant or pigheaded.

As a guy who has been camping, hiking all my life, I found him to be not only an idiot but a self centered, uncaring idiot.

[Quixote1818]

18. He was in touch with his sister

"We were all worried when we didn't hear from him," says Carine, "and I think my parents' worry was mixed with hurt and anger. But I didn't really feel hurt. I knew that he was happy and doing what he wanted to do. I understood that it was important for him to see how independent he could be. And he knew that if he wrote or called me, Mom and Dad would find out where he was, fly out there, and try to bring him home."


He was an "uncaring idiot" who use to hand hamburgers out to the homeless and also donated $20,000 (everything he had) to charity. Not to mention, he had nothing in common with his parents who were very materialistic and much like George Bush in their thinking.

[cobalt1999]

20. He took off initially and didn't tell a soul.

The book was pretty clear talking with his parents the worry they felt. Even your quote confirms that..."We were all worried when we didn't hear from him," says Carine

Being a dreamer and choosing to live like he did is one thing, but he could just as easily informed his family beforehand, let them know he'd communicate his condition on a regular basis, and listen & learn from others who have more experience.

His own idiocy is what killed him and he caused his family pain and worry for a long time before that. Sorry if I don't hold up some self-centered, incompetent, asshole up as someone to admire.

[Beausoir]

19. I gotta agree with you. After reading the book, I thought the kid was a self-centered idiot.

He put his family through sheer hell.

[lligrd]

21. Were You Never Young?

I don't know too many in there late teens and early twenties that don't put their parents through some kind of hell or who don't think they are practically invincible. I am not saying that what he did was necessarily right but it is an interesting and tragic story. He already payed the ultimate price for any mistakes he made and I don't think trashing him now is making his family feel any better.

[cobalt1999]

22. Sure I was bit of a asshole when I was young, but

that is world-class assholeness. I would never make my family go through what that guy did to his family.

Also, while he paid the price for his stupidity, it's also no reason to admire him (which is my point).

He was a asshole and an idiot no need to think anything else about him.

[lligrd]

23. I Don't Think The Point Of The Movie Is To Make A Hero

out of the guy. His journal itself points out his mistakes. It is simply one kids tragic story.

[cobalt1999]

24. He was only a darwin award candidate and asshole to his family.;

and he doesn't deserve the attention.

[lligrd]

25. If You're Talking About Dubya

I agree.

[cobalt1999]

26. LOL

Except Dubya has already breed, so doesn't that exempt him from Darwin Awards?

[lligrd]

28. Only Because He Was Always Sheltered From Life's

consequences. On his own he wouldn't have lasted a week. So, I think he still qualifies. And don't argue, I was hoping we could agree on something. :silly:

[Quixote1818]

31. The kid had his problems but he also had a good side

When he was in High School he use to go to McDonald's and buy dozens of hamburgers and hand them out to the homeless. He also donated his life savings ($20,000) to charity. He clashed with his parents and had different values than they had. His values were very much like many here on DU. According to the book he was also a very honest person and cared deeply about his friends.

You can chose to see only his bad qualities or you can open up your mind and also see his good qualities and that he was most certainly a very interesting, unique person who passionately followed his dream. The year I read that book I was so blown away by how free he was I put all my stuff into storage and lived out of my truck for a year traveling from mountain range to desert never knowing where I would end up each night. I took thousands of photos many of which are now published in calendars and on postcards. I wish I had the courage to live like he did full time but I don't. I will say that that year was the happiest and most rewarding year of my life. I owe it to this kids story.

[cobalt1999]

33. I hope you let your loved ones know what you were doing though.

Some values he had...totally selfish, no concern about his family, somehow I don't think that matches the values here at DU. I had different values from my parents, but I didn't treat them like shit. Combine his self-centered attitude with his limited wilderness skills and I have no respect for him.

[Quixote1818]

38. Of course but it's obvious this kid was on a quest to find himself

and his own identity. He didn't see the world the same way as his parents and he was off to discover the world that was near and dear to his heart. If he had lived long enough to work through things, fully discovering his spiritual self and made peace with his demons he very likely would reestablished his relationship with his parents. He was a typical rebellious kid working through crap, he just happened to work through it in a very interesting unique and inspiring way.

[wildhorses]

8. i wish i had seen it, instead of eastern promises.

will catch it next week-end...

[Bzzzz]

9. I want to see it...

but I didn't think it came out until Oct. 5th?

[SeattleGirl]

11. No, but I'm watching Charlie Rose interview Sean Penn and Eddie Vedder

about it right now.

It's definitely on my list.

[lligrd]

12. Have You Read The Story?

I posted the link above (includes picture of Christopher). Very moving.

[SeattleGirl]

13. No I haven't. Thanks for the post. I'll check it out, AND read

the book.

Edited to add: I just bookmarked that article so I can read it tomorrow.

[Radio_Lady]

29. Hi Seattle Girl -- Sean Penn: were you put off by his SMOKING on camera?

I thought Charlie Rose should have told him to snuff it out.

Who does that these days?

How addicted to you have to be to smoke during an interview? Wow.

Other than that, I like the guy, but fear for his life.

Smoking kills -- it killed my ex-husband at age 70. He dreamed of being a film director too, but never made it.

[american_typeculture]

30. Good book. remember do not eat wild potato flowers.

I think that is what did him in, IRC.

[WinkyDink]

36. Sean Penn impressed me with his descriptions of the making of the film. No stunt-doubles.

What you see is what the actor really did.

[Lethe]

37. dammit you guys are making me want to see it now

i haven't read the book, but it seems this guy and me share a lot of ideals. But still, how can you go into a wilderness as unforgiving as Alaska's and not take the advice of the natives? It sounds more like reckless escapism than adventure.

Check out Dick Proenneke's story. His book is One Man's Wilderness and they made a movie called Alone in the Wilderness. This guy decided to live 30 years in the Alaska wilderness by himself. (he did have help) He planned everything almost perfectly and thrived, alone. It's not glamorous or tragic, but it is incredibly inspirational.

[Quixote1818]

39. Here is the trailer

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758758/trailers-screenplay-E33388-10-2

[Tafiti]

40. You should read the book.

It's captivating and not very long, so you could finish it quickly. Shit, I can't believe it's been 8 years since I read it, but I've been meaning to re-read it.

I didn't even know they'd made into a movie. I'll have to see that as well.