Sunday, July 12, 2009

Into The Wild...


"Oh it's a mystery to me.
We have a greed, with which we have agreed...
and you think you have to want more than you need...
until you have it all, you won't be free."
- extract of lyrics of song "Society" from Into The Wild

If you agree with the above lines...let me tell you that the book and the movie..."Into The Wild" is for you....its based on a true story...its about a person who defied the norms of the society...and had the guts to follow his dream...

Into The Wild - written by Jon Krakauer
Into The Wild - movie directed by Sean Penn and stars Emile Hirsch as the main character.

I wanted to write about the book and the movie Into The Wild...but I think I am going to end up writing more about the phenomena named Christopher Johnson McCandless!

Chris was born to Walt and Billie McCandless. He had a younger sister named Carine. Walt and Billi worked really hard and had setup a good business. They were rich, but not a happy family. Chris graduated with honors from Emory University in Atlanta in 1990. On his graduation, his father wanted to gift him a new car, but Chris turns down his offer saying that he doesn't need a new car. Chris was sick of the materialistic things and despised any attempt of his parents to show their "love" with gifts. The book delves into the reasons behind the relationship of Chris with his parents. The movie captures the essence of this relationship in a very good scene in the the beginning.

After graduation, Chris decides to leave back everything and start a new life. He donates all his savings to charity, burns all the cash he has and abandons most of his possessions along with his car. For the next two years, Chris hitchhikes in the US and ensures that his parents cannot trace him. He roams around with a new name Alexander Supertramp and with a dream of going on a great Alaskan adventure!

In these two years, he meets some interesting people from all walks of life. Most of them are amazed by Alexander (Alex). Some people find it difficult to understand what he is doing and why is he doing it. The book gives a brief account of interactions of these people with Chris and their thoughts about Chris. Even in a short span of time that Chris spent with these people, he had a profound effect on them. He talked less, but made perfect sense whenever he did.

After around two years of hitchhiking, in April 1992, Chris' dream comes true...and he is in Alaska close to Denali National Park. Chris wanted to be all alone in the wilderness, away from the sick SOCIETY and he had all the solitude he wanted in Alaska. He makes Alaska his abode for the next four months....

I dont want to go into further details of Chris' adventures in Alaska...and kill your interest...I want you to read the book...or at least watch the movie... and then maybe someone will write a real review about "Into The Wild"...

I would like to end my random thoughts....with a quote from the book -
"There is a pleasure in the pathless woods;
There is a rapture on the lonely shore;
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar;
I love not man the less, but Nature more..."
- Lord Byron

7 comments:

Aparna said...

Nice one Shashi.
I am eager to read the book if I get or atleast watch the movie :)

shashi... said...

sure... let me know... and then I would like to read a review from you...

Poonam said...

Hey Shashi,
this book/movie is on my list since long time, jus that i was trying to find time for this. But after reading this post i feel this is the time :)

कस्तुरी said...

Hey Poonam,

if you get d book or movie do sher it with us

shashi... said...

let me know if you all find it difficult to get the book...I will send it with the next person visiting India.

Ajay Sonawane said...

I have seen this movie, Its long but you'll probably want more. you can't leave your seat and just live in the moment of the story.
You will find this movie on megaupload.com.
There is one more movie "The descent" which is of category adventure. This is just a brilliant movie. A group of friends get trapped in a mountain cave due to rockfall and adventure starts. Worth watching film.

sagar said...

i dont know how many times i hav watched this movie...sometimes i just listened to this. put my monitor off n just listen to the dialogs n sounds of it.... sheer pleasure to exp it..
apart from his journey n all..i liked the most is his relations with people around..with wayne, rainey n jane,ron, tracy.
u reminded me 'days haunted by ITW', 1 year back..
http://sharingslicesofmylife.blogspot.com/2008/08/happry-friendship-day-alex.html