GRIMES,+Kali

**X (no A7) **
**X (no A8)** KALI: I HAVE READ AND RESPONDED TO YOUR DRAFT OF PAPER THREE: [|paper3kaligWITHCOMMENTS.rtf]


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 * Paper 3- Film Analysis & Synthesis Kalinda Grimes**

Most of us have had the cliche childhood fantasy of living off the land and surviving in the wilderness; however, in Into the Wild, Chris McCandless doesn't grow out of this phase. If you haven't had this experience you will have a sense of the adventure and independence after viewing this film. The film tells a story of a young man, Chris McCandless, just graduating from Emory University. Chris gets rid of all of his belongings and things that identify him. He donates all of his savings to charity and travels to different states in southern North America before reaching his final destination in Alaska. He meets many different kinds of people along the way. In the film it's as if he takes a piece of each character with him on his journey. He doesn't attach himself to these people; he usually leaves before he gets to close. Wandering around, he sleeps where ever is convenient at the time. Although Roger Ebert states, "he sees himself not as homeless, but as a man freed from homes"(5). Chris feels as if he is freed from because he no longer has to be stereotyped as the "perfect" son that only cares about materialistic things just like his parents. The cinematography of the film was rather interesting. While Chris was outside in nature the camera flowed softly and moved with Chris. While he was in the city, there were a lot of clips and sharp freezes of the shots. Almost as if it was capturing the way Chris was feeling. He seemed to be in somewhat of a daze, and very unaware of his surroundings. Another thing that connects and adds interest the the story is the narrating. Chris's sister, Carine narrates the film to help us understand him better and relate to him the way she does since she is the only one who truly understands him. There is no reason why this film would be considered unrealistic. Since the film was based on a true story, Sean Penn didn't tweak the film at all. Penn true to the real story; you can see this by him using the same locations. Chris is what makes the film realistic. Everyone seeks the truth and wants to find their true selves, and thats exactly what he was doing. When Penn chose the actors for this film he did it carefully. Especially when it came to the main character, Chris. When he came across Emile Hirsch he wanted him to portray the real Chris McCandless perfectly. Hirsch was trained by actually having to live in the wild and improve his skills. He also had to physically train as well. The supporting actors: Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Jena Malone, Catherine Keener, Brian Dierker, Vince Vaughn, Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Stewart, and Hal Holbrook all fit the roles very well.

Robert Ebert I agreed with Robert Ebert's review of Into the wild. You can tell that Ebert definitely looks up to the acting and admired the story line. By reading the review it reminded me of my childhood by wanting to go into the wild. Ebert states that Chris's desire to go into the wild was just a phase from childhood that he just didn't grow out of. Ebert made the review more interesting by using personal experience which got my attention.
 * A6**

Christianity Today Most of the review from Christianity Today I agreed with. It talks a lot about the book. I haven't read the book yet but it seems more interesting than the movie. It talks about the differences between both the movie, and the book. Such as, in the movie he is portrayed as being independent, but in the book he is portrayed as a sad human being. Also, that the actors fit the roles perfectly and made the movie. I agree with this. The actors were well thought out and made the movie very interesting.

TV Guide Mostly the TV Guide review stated that the movie was way too long. It was a long movie but it did a good job keeping my attention the whole time. It would have been boring and drug out if it wasn't for the actors and Chris's new experiences and meeting new people. Also, it kept me thinking along with the movie.


 * A5-Critical Viewing and Preliminary Analysis**

Into the Wild is a true story about Chris McCandless. He has just graduated from college and instead of attending Harvard Universtity, he leaves home, gets rid of everything that identifies him. He travels out west and meets many kinds of people and goes through many kinds of jobs. He finally makes it to Alaska, his final destination, where he lives off the land on his own, and eventually dies unintentionally. The film was directed by Sean Penn. After reading about the movie, prior to watching it, I found out a few interesting things; not only did the actor who plays Chris act for this film he also trained for the movie by living in the wild and training physically. Sean Penn was very serious when it came to finding the perfect actor for this role. In my opinion, all the actors in this film fit their roles perfectly. By choosing these actors made the film seem even more like a true story considering that is how a lot of people act in real life. For example, the way Chris's parents act and how strict and selfish they are. The cinematography of this film was incredible. When the nature scenes were filmed the camera flowed with the actions and movement of Chris and the background or scenery. And when Chris entered the city, the camera moved quickly. It would freeze chaotically. Also, the cinematography portrayed the way Chris was feeling in the different settings he was in. While he was in the wild he felt free, so the camera filmed the wild open spaces, and background. While he was in the city he felt uneasy and he didn't fit in, the camera portrayed this well by chopping up the scenes and gave off a depressing mood. In this film, most of the characters seem to be developing characters instead of flat. Chris was the main developing character. I think he found himself through the story. I don't think you ever realize who you really are until you try being someone else. He became his true self after meeting all of the interesting people and traveling to all the places he did. Also, after realizing that "things" don't mean anything. At the end of the film when he writes his goodbye note, he ends it by using his real name, which kind of shows that he is now himself again after using his fake name throughout the movie. Carine is a developed character because while Chris was still at home they both had the same issues. When Chris left she realized what he was doing and that changed her. It changed her view about her parents and society because she looked up to her brother. His parents were developed because before Chris had left they were selfish, and oblivious to the fact that they were taking advantage of their "perfect son." When he was gone they changed. They became softer, more caring people. After watching his father cry in the street, it was obvious that he really did love his son. I don't really know if what Chris McCandless did was the right thing to do or not. Yes, his parents did treat him badly, but by leaving home with no explanation wasn't okay either. If he told them where he was maybe they would have tried to find him and bring him home. Maybe thats why he didn't. It is a parents worst nightmare losing their child and it was also hard on his sister to.