I finally managed to see it last night and I confidently say it's one of the best movies I've seen in my entire life. Do yourself a favor and see it. Unfortunately it's not a big release, so in case you haven't seen the trailer... <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2LAuzT_x8Ek&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2LAuzT_x8Ek&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object> That is all.
Curious, why? Great book, sad story. Didn't know they were making a movie, will have to check it out eventually.
You're curious why I think a lot of people would think he's an idiot? If so, it's because he gave up a ton of material possessions to chase something intangible. On top of that, he went about it by embarking on a very dangerous journey. There is a very large number of people who just can't understand why anyone would do that.
Saw it tonight. Excellent acting and a thought provoking story. If you want to get depressed, this flick is for you. Not what I would have chosen for a Saturday night flick, but a friend wanted to go. Again, a very, very good movie. Just don't see it if you're looking to walk out skipping, horny, and ready to party. In my opinion.
No, I was curious why you think he wasn't. Idiot is a strong word, but I think a lot of the backlash is not centered around the "why" he did what he did (I can certainly respect his choices & relate to them, done similar things a couple of times in my life) but the "how", i.e. going into a seriously unforgiving place, just about as close to completely unprepared as you can be.
Agreed. Haven't seen the movie yet, but read the book. What he did was awesome. Many of his choices, though, were idiotic. It would be like being a NASCAR driver but not wearing a seatbelt. Dumb. I'd venture to say there are lots of people out there making similar choices, but not turning out the way this guy did, so not being the subject of somemagazine articles, a book and a movie. Certainly not a majority, and not even a decent minority...but there aredefinitely thousands of others out there making similar, but less idiotic life choices.
From what I gathered, it was closer to a spur of the moment decision than it was something he had been planning for a long time. I think part of the intrigue to setting out on his journey was to be somewhat unprepared, relying more on what he would learn along the way. He wanted to be tested. He wanted to be challenged in situations where he had only his own head and his own hands to rely on. I think that's why he left with such little preparation. The fact of the matter is, aside from one big mistake (which I won't spoil for those who don't know) he likely would have gotten back home just fine. Even the most prepared person in the world isn't guaranteed to make it 2 years in the wild. What he did was certainly ill-advised, but that's part of what made it amazing, in my opinion.
i liked it when he was bangin cuthbert...oh wait, wrong movie... I would love to see this and will within the next couple of weeks...Just got from hiking and just being out there with nature is very refreshing and cleansing...
saw that with a friend. but i liked Once, Lust/Caution, Stardust, and Ratatouille, Pan's Labyrinth, Last King of Scotland all more than this one. Dunno... Used to love philosophical movies, maybe I'm getting old. But I just felt the main character is just an absolute brat and an idiot, impossible to identify with. The only part of the movie I finally agreed with was at the end, when he realised that the greatest beauty in the world is that which can be shared.
Idiot I can understand because what he did, while brave and inspiring, was rather foolish. But why a brat? He gave up a pampered life (aside from the bickering parents) to chase something more meaningful. Seems like the exact opposite of a brat to me. Can't think of too many bratty people that would Spoiler give their savings ($24,000) to charity and pass up a brand new car.
When I saw the previews, I thought only a rich WASP could come to the same conclusion and do the premise. Spoiler I thought it was a very good movie, but ultimately sad and a waste of a good life. With a different slant, you could say he died homeless inside a bus in the middle of nowhere. In a wider sense, it also shows how individual virtues of strangers go mostly unspoken while sensational evil grips the minds of the public. What's also sad is the ironic way he found his epiphany. I hope more people find this movie. Great soundtrack.
He was not an idiot. (I have read the book, not seen the movie) He made a mistake, a small one, but fatal. Other than that he was remarkably adept at finding his own path, often through really strenuous circumstances. Moreover, he was really in tune with himself. He knew who he was and who he wanted to be. And when it came time to make that "forever" type choice and ditch everything you are supposed to be, or are supposed to care about - he did it. I think there is something to respect in that.
I thought the movie was fantastic and the sound track by Eddie Vedder even better. I committed my own cardinal sin of seeing the movie before reading the book, but I would like to read it before I make a judgement on the guy's sanity.
I saw the movie this weekend. After much hype from friends I came away very disappointed. A lot of it having to do with the fact that this type of thing simply doesn't appeal to me. But also... Spoiler The whole running around America touching peoples lives. It just came off super cheesy. He also whined and moaned about the pain his parents caused? He obviously caused his sister pain by never speaking to her. I basically watched a movie where a guy goes on one big camping trip... Sweet... I don't get it. Maybe my friends liked the male pee pee action.
not quoting to dispute, only to reference the preparedness issue (also, this comment made me think of this) : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437806/ Man (Dick Proenneke) goes to Alaska with backpack. Backpack has axe head, saw, hammer head, chisel, etc. Man cuts branches to make handles for his utensils, then uses utensils to cut down other trees and make a cabin. Man lives in cabin by himself for 30 years and makes self-documentary. I don't remember if he uses a gun or not. To be fair, people knew where to find him, so it wasn't as "adventurous," but I still think what he did was cool as heck.
