I have wanted to see Into the Wild for a while--since I first saw and liked Emile Hirsch in Milk about a year ago. I knew some general stuff about the story of Into the Wild, but not nearly enough to realize what a beautifully photographed and acted film this is, and what a disturbing, yet somehow heart-warming story this is.
Firstly, Hal Holbrook must be now granted not only the status of national institution, but also the position of grandfather of all the most subtle, effective, and nuanced film acting. Mr. Holbrook is on screen for maybe 10 minutes of this film, but he is so heart-wrenchingly wonderful that you forget that he's on screen with someone else.
That sounds like a dis against Emile Hirsch; it is not intended as such. Mr. Hirsch owns this film and deserves every bit of praise it has afforded him. There are other effective performances here, too, from William Hurt, Marcia Gay Harden and particularly from Jena Malone who does wonderful work with her voice-overs.
The only aspect of the film that I took a bit of issue with was the use of quotes written over the screen as if they were handwritten. I realize that this relates to the diary we see Alexander/Christopher keeping while living in the Magic Bus, but I thought the technique a bit obvious and got in the way more than it helped. Luckily for me, the practice was not continued in the later part of the film.
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