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In my final project, I will be discussing the 2007 film Into the Wild. I would like to highlight the parallels between the movie and its soundtrack. Aside from the music, I also would like to analyze the film's critique of our society, and how a fractured family dynamic can lead a person to go to extremes to find themselves.

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This film is based on the true story of Christopher McCandless. It is well-known actor Sean Penn's version of a book released in 1996, also called Into the Wild. Sean Penn is responsible for the directing and production of the film, and the soundtrack is written and performed by Eddie Vedder, singer of 90s Seattle grunge band Pearl Jam. There is also original movie scoring doen by film composers Michael Brook and Kaki King.

Christopher McCandless was a man who left his entire life behind to hitchhike across the United States to the Alaskan wilderness. His goal was to spend 100 days out in the wild, living off of the land, but unfortunately the accidental consumption of poisonous berries leads to his untimely death.

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Christopher McCandless (Alexander Supertramp)- the hero/the warrior/the child/the explorer/the rebel

Carine McCandless-the child

Jan and Rainey- the caregivers/the explorers

Tracy-the seducer/the child

Ron Franz-the caregiver/the mentor

Walt and Billie McCandless-the villians

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Throughout the film, we are taken on Chris' journey with him, while also flashing back to moments that help explain why he is so hell-bent on leaving everything behind. Flashbacks of Chris' childhood reveal that his parents were abusive toward each other, specifically his father toward his mother, and subsequently him and his younger sister Carine as well. This gives him a bitter view toward family and society in general, while also awakening a strong yearning within to find his own truth.

Upon emabrking on his trek to Alaska, Chris gives his life savings to charity, destroys his credit cards, identification cards, even his social security card, so that he cannot be found. He drives his car into the desert where he abandons it and discards of the license plates in a dumpster. He takes on the name "Alexander Supertramp" and never reveals his true identity until the final moments of the film, which are also the final moments of his life.

The idea that someone would go to such extreme measures to find themselves is very intriguing to me. To be so passionate about your disdain for society that you completely disappear and ultimately risk your own life is both commendable and stubborn.

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The soundtrack is written and performed by Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder. It begins with a song called "Setting Forth", symbolizing the beginning of both Chris's journey and our journey as the viewer of this incredible true story. The album ends with a song called "Photographs", which parallels with the film, as the last thing we see is a photo of the real Christoper McCandless. It was an undeveloped picture that was found in his camera which he had taken in front of the "Magic Bus" where his body would be found. Vedder's music has a very adventurous feel, while also containing an underlying sadness, and also many sounds that could be similar to those found in the wild. For example, his screeching in the song "The Wolf" is very reminiscent of a coyote or a wolf. I think Vedder's soundtrack pairs perfectly with the film and its story.

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During this scene, we see the tail-end of a heartfelt conversation between Chris and Rainey, and a moment where Chris is conquering his fear of water. We hear the non-diegetic sound of the music score, which has a hopeful yet sad feel. We also hear the diegetic sounds of the water and the seagulls on the beach. While Jan and Chris are swimming, there is a monolgue by Chris speaking about finding one's self on your own, which is a common theme throughout the film.

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Into the Wild (2/9) Movie CLIP - On the Beach (2007) HD

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In this scene, Chris reads from a book which explains what the idea of "happiness" is. There is an underlying concept of a family life, which we know has been difficult for Chris. We hear his sister Carine speak about how hard it was for her after her brother disappeared (went on his journey). There is  a non-diegetic score that plays throughout the scene, adding depth to Carine's despair and intensity to Chris' situation.

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Into the Wild (5/9) Movie CLIP - Family Happiness (2007) HD

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This scene ties both the soundtrack and the theme together. As we see Chris out in the wild, the song "Society" plays as non-diegetic sound. The chorus reads "Society, you're a crazy breed. I hope you're not lonely without me". There is a sense of purpose to Chris' journey, where he is leaving everyone behind and completely from a normal society.

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At first, Into the Wild was only shown to limited theaters, where it made $212,400. However, once it was released on a bigger scale, it made about $2 million. The movie was nominated for many awards. Most notably, it won the Golden Globe for "Best Original Song in a Motion Picture" for the song "Guaranteed".

Due to the popularity of the film and its moving story, the "Magic Bus" grew a lot of attention and became a place where hikers and other adventurers could go and pay their respects to the memory of Chris McCandless. However, the bus was relocated to ensure no one would die the way Chris did.

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"Into the Wild (film)." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 8 Oct. 2022. Web. 8 Dec. 2022.