Chaos Pavanred’s Blog ….. Exponential Eroor

Into the wild…

I saw this movie before I stumbled upon the book. I was, without any doubt, impressed deeply by the movie. It is a different kind of movie, and the fact that it’s based on a true story made me feel really good about it. Immediately after the movie I stacked up a little more awe and respect for Sean Penn. I always thought he was a great actor for the roles he played in “I am Sam”, “Mystic River” etc. But, this was a movie directed by him. Left me wondering, just how talented this guy is!!

The main difference between the movie and the book, though they tell the same story, is that – I feel the movie was made with the sole idea of glorifying Chris McCandless’s life, the choices he made, the things he did, the life he gave up, everything. But, the book gives a more impartial perspective of his life. With all due respect to Chris, in my opinion it takes loads of courage and resolve to do what he did.

It could be said that the comparison is unfair, the book as a medium has the luxury of being extremely detailed and without any limits whereas the movie has an acceptable time limit. Besides, understandably, the movie misses out on details for things that the book provides an extra perspective for. For instance, the movie mentions that Chris was deeply impressed by the writings of Jack London and his advocacy of the glory of living in Alaska, in the wild but the Jon Krakauer mentions in the book that Jack London merely did what he was best at, write, because he lived in Alaska only for a summer in his whole life and spent a huge part of his life amongst most modern luxuries. Chris unfortunately picked and walked the path that Jack London imagined and dreamed of, perhaps.

Another instance, the movie, perhaps for the lack of time, undermines some of the acts that Chris pulls off during his great trip. Hunting isn’t as easy as its shown in the movie. For many including me, it’s pretty easy as you see it – you pick a gun, miss a couple of shots and puff out swears then you are all smiles because you get a clean next shot. The next scene in the movie is the actor eating stuff that looks like fried chicken from a small pot of fire. But, in reality, it’s very difficult, as mentioned in the journal that Chris maintained, there are times when all that he has hunted down is a squirrel in few days. Besides, during a favorable season, the list from Chris’s diary goes like this (quoted from the Jon Krakauer’s book) –

May 28: “Gourmet duck” June 1: “5 squirrel” June 2: “Porcupine, Ptarmigan, 4 squirrel, grey bird” June 3: “Another Porcupine, 4 squirrel, 2 grey bird, ash bird”...

Having a dead porcupine in front of you with a bullet in its head, for dinner!! – Now picturing this isn’t as easy as I had seen in the movie.

I would say, watch the movie, read the book and then formulate your opinion. Its a beautiful movie and a very well researched and precisely written book.

Another interesting thing I liked about the book is where Jon Krakauer discusses the lives of similar people and the trips they took. And the most important thing I liked about the book is the bits published from Chris’s diary, passages he had highlighted from the books he read and relevant quotes from great works of literature. Here are a few I like -

I wanted movement and a calm course of existence. I wanted excitement and danger and chance to sacrifice for my love. I felt in myself the super abundance of energy which found no outlet in our quiet life - “Family Happiness” Leo Tolstoy

For children are innocent and love justice, while most of us are wicked and naturally prefer mercy - G.K. Chesterton

And of course how could I not mention it, Eddie vedder, he is one talented guy. WOW!! You listen to the sound tracks of this movie - the music and the lyrics; they just put the whole movie into perspective. If you watch the movie then you should listen to these tracks – Guaranteed, Society, Hard sun, Long nights etc. Amazing songs. Truly amazing!!

Well, I love the movie and I would recommend it. In no particular order, I would recommend both the book and the movie.