Simply stunning real-life account of college graduate who simplydisowns and ditches the American society, lifestyle - and his parents -to make a life in the midwestern/Alaskan wilderness. Along his path healso encounters and affects a handful of diverse people in bothprofound and truthful ways...
A clearly victorious labor of love for director Penn, as it usesvoice-over, appropriately themed songs and nature philosophy quotes (ifa few too many) just as effectively as the beauty of nature's sceneryitself to tell an Americana (and the fate of quite a man) like noother. An honest, heartfelt celebration of following a dream of freedomand simplicity - gaspingly well made - that resonates even deeper, ofcourse, if you agree on its values and statements (like me). Rousseausmiles in his grave! Also astonishingly, effortlessly acted down theline with a fantastic Hirsch (who to me is an uncanny cross betweenJohnny Depp & River Phoenix!) in the lead; it wouldn't work without hisperformance. Give that man more big roles!
A clearly victorious labor of love for director Penn, as it usesvoice-over, appropriately themed songs and nature philosophy quotes (ifa few too many) just as effectively as the beauty of nature's sceneryitself to tell an Americana (and the fate of quite a man) like noother. An honest, heartfelt celebration of following a dream of freedomand simplicity - gaspingly well made - that resonates even deeper, ofcourse, if you agree on its values and statements (like me). Rousseausmiles in his grave! Also astonishingly, effortlessly acted down theline with a fantastic Hirsch (who to me is an uncanny cross betweenJohnny Depp & River Phoenix!) in the lead; it wouldn't work without hisperformance. Give that man more big roles!
