Into The Wild (2007) Film, Music and Thoughts by Jessie Mac
There are spoilers – so if you don’t want to know – please don’t read on.
This isn’t a film review – I’m not good at them and will leave film reviews to my good friend Oosters. This is just me talking about one of my favourite films – Into the Wild.
It all started with a non-fiction book Into the Wild (1996) written by Jon Krakauer about Christopher McCandless. The book was later adapted into a film directed by Sean Penn. The screenplay was written by Sean Penn and the 2007 film starred Emile Hirsch, Marcia Gay Harden, William Hurt, Kristen Stewart to name a few.
I’m listening to the song ‘Society’ by Eddie Vedder that features in the film. I love the lyrics. Here it is – I’ve included it below so you can listen with me. Music means more to me when I know the lyrics. I’d like to share this with you. Please take a few minutes to listen and read the lyrics below.
‘Society’ by Eddie Vedder – Music from the motion picture ‘Into the Wild’
Oh, it’s a mystery to me
We have a greed with which we have agreed
And you think you have to want more than you need
Until you have it all you won’t be free
Society, you’re a crazy breed
Hope you’re not lonely without me…
When you want more than you have
You think you need…
And when you think more than you want
Your thoughts begin to bleed
I think I need to find a bigger place
Because when you have more than you think
You need more space
Society, you’re a crazy breed
Hope you’re not lonely without me…
Society, crazy indeed
Hope you’re not lonely without me…
There’s those thinking, more-or-less, less is more
But if less is more, how you keeping score?
Means for every point you make, your level drops
Kinda like you’re starting from the top
You can’t do that…
Society, you’re a crazy breed
Hope you’re not lonely without me…
Society, crazy indeed
Hope you’re not lonely without me…
Society, have mercy on me
Hope you’re not angry if I disagree…
Society, crazy indeed
Hope you’re not lonely without me…
A bit about the story:
After graduating in 1990 with high grades from Emory University, McCandless ceased communicating with his family, gave away his savings of approximately $25,000 to Oxfam and began traveling, later abandoning his car.
In April 1992, McCandless hitchhiked to the Stampede Trail in Alaska. There, McCandless headed down the snow-covered trail to begin an odyssey with only 10 pounds of rice, a .22 caliber rifle, several boxes of rifle rounds, a camera, and a small selection of reading material — including a field guide to the region’s edible plants, Tana’ina Plantlore. He declined an acquaintance’s offer to buy him sturdier clothing and better supplies. After surviving more than 100 days, he died sometime in August and his body was found, in early September, by a group of moose hunters. Read more…
Why did this film affected so many others that his story has a cult following?
Alaskans fault Krakauer for romanticizing McCandless, thereby encouraging others to model themselves after his life. Before the film has even been released, it has become common to blame Hollywood for further glamorizing a senseless tragedy. Read more…
Perhaps I am romanticizing and I can’t talk for others who found meaning in his story – only what it meant to me. Why did it touch me?
Being free and unattached to society’s expectations of how every human should and should not live is the ultimate dream for some. Who says what society dictates should be the way you should live? What if you’re not interested in what society thinks you should value? As long as you don’t hurt others, who says what is the right way and what is the wrong way?
Some choose to follow their truth on one level or another and embrace it like Chris McCandless without questioning. Though probably baffling those around them who wonder why they chose the path taken by the few.
Some question all the way – kicking and screaming – either instigated from within or forced from without – battling with their inner voice to follow their dreams even when the fear of not knowing how it will end is real and scary. It’s not only the unknown but the mere fact that it seems as if everyone else is going another way.
Questioning always happens when there is great fear of going on a path that isn’t the well-trodden path. Be it wanting to be an artist – a writer, a painter, a wanderer etc. Be it to live in the wilderness on your own. Be it never having children or never getting married. Be it to live a less conventional life that may be frowned upon.
And even at the end Chris McCandless realized that the road to true happiness is sharing with others. Sometimes going on a path that is not the norm can initially (and all the way through it) be a lonely walk. But aren’t we all living a unique life?
Have you seen the film Sliding Doors?
Sliding Doors shows how things could be different – but not through choice.
Add choice – would your life be different if you chose differently?
Like in the film The Butterfly Effect? Would your life be different if you changed it?
You know what the tragedy is?
To know your truth and not live it.
It’s scary. It’s lonely.
Don’t be scared. You’re not alone.
I’m on a path parallel to yours.
You may not see me but I’m there, still questioning.
Want to share?
Leave a comment. I will respond.
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity. It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”
Melodie Beattie – Writer
CURRENT STATUS: Reminder, Motivator and Review Meeting (Read on if you want to join me in my Corporation of One meeting)
What l have learnt:
- Life is being aware. Life is for living. Cheesy but it’s true.
What I have done:
- Trying to embrace everything that is happening. Cheesy, I know. I’ve written down a list of things I want to do before I die. Yes, I’m serious – I’ve been reflecting. You only have one life and you can’t take it for granted.
WORD COUNT: Night Walker 154,000 words in total. Monday 13 September wrote 1,000 words.
I really like this film as well. It’s a great story (though somewhat more romanticised in the film than in the book), and had some really good performances. I think what really struck a chord with me wasn’t so much the lead character but all the other people he meets on his journey, all of them slightly broken but essentially decent people. It’s a strange, sad little film that stayed with me.
Hey you, I’m surprised you found the post before I sent it out via Twitter or Facebook. Good to see you pop by once in a while. Caught Tamara Drewe and The Last Exorcism the week gone by. Seen a lot of films. Romanticised or not – a film, a book, a painting – if it evokes emotion, thinking or just stays with you – I think it succeeded.
You’re right, it is the people he met on his journey that made it so poignant. It’s a beautiful film of bravery and single-mindedness, yet also of humanity and kindness. Thanks for commenting.
Hi Jessie,
I liked this film, although it was a somewhat depressing and hopeless tale. On the bigger question about living life, for me it’s about contributing – leaving the world a bit better than how I found it. How am I going to contribute? Maybe by writing a great screenplay that inspires the world! Having said that we mustn’t forget to enjoy the “process of living” as Author and Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi mentions in his book “Flow” – paraphrasing – that our best moments occur when our body or mind is stretched to its limits in an effort to accomplish something worthwhile. Hey – is it too forward to ask to see your “bucket list”?
Hi Terence,
Thanks for popping by and commenting. You’re right, the ending of the story was a tragedy which makes it more poignant.
You’re so right too about contributing. For the first part of your life, you’re searching and learning how you can contribute in the second half of your life – for me it is this way. I’m at the second part of my life and though I think I know how I’d be contributing – hopefully through my novels – to do it fully I need to live fully. I will check ‘Flow’ out – thanks. It’s not forward at all to see my ‘bucket list’ – I was thinking of putting it online so when I do I’ll email you the link.
Do you feel you’re living your truth? Do you have a bucket list?
Jessie
Hi Jessie,
It’s interesting, but no, I don’t feel as though I’m living my truth. At least not 100%. Like a lot of people I get caught up in the daily chore of “making a living” instead of pursuing my ultimate goal. I keep convincing myself that my dream is just a “decision” away, but making that decision to “do” is like this mountain I’m reluctant to climb! “Flow” is a great study in human motivation. Perhaps the sad truth is that we (humans) are always in pursuit of “something”, it’s what keeps us going – and the moment we achieve one thing, it satisfies us for only a short time before we have to seek the next “big thing.” I guess it’s the human condition.
You’ve inspired me to work on my own bucket list. It’s a great way to really make you think about what’s important! One thing I know will be on there will be to visit to Japan! Ever since I was younger I’ve always wanted to visit Japan. It’s ironic since I write this from Beijing China, where I’m working for a couple of weeks before returning home to Toronto. So close and yet so far!
Here’s to realising your truth! I’ll let you know when I have my list together!
Write on!
Terence.
Hi Terence,
Good to see you on here again. Everyone has to ‘make a living’ to keep get the peace to pursue our dreams. The ultimate dream is to be paid to live your dream. I’m interested in human motivation because sometimes true motivation is hidden deep under layers of other stuff – even to ourselves – so I think I will definitely check out ‘Flow’.
To want to contribute in some way is pursuing ‘something’. It may be the human condition but it’s better to keep pursuing than stop moving for too long. The great thing is the ‘big thing’ is different for everyone. The bucket list is a new thing for me. After passing milestones and somehow finding that I don’t seem to be going the same way as others my age – I feel compelled to make a path for myself. So sometimes trying to pursue things is the only way to distract yourself from standing still and go crazy asking questions that don’t have answers – so you keep moving. That’s why the film touched me – he didn’t understand, he questioned but he kept moving. I think he had lived he would lead a different life – a life of sharing.
It is quite ironic, you being so close to Japan. I’ve been and if you can, you must go. It’s a fascinating country and culture. Here’s to realizing your truth too. And yes, I’d love to see your bucket list!
Thanks,
Jessie
jerry hannan wrote the song, eddie just sings it
jerry hannan wrote the song, SOCIETY, eddie just sings it