This is a beautiful and skillful adaptation of a remarkable story. For anyone who has ever dreamt what it would be like to leave the material world behind and survive in the wilderness this is a must see. Emile Hirsch plays the lead character so sensitively and at times it plays like a documentary where many of the characters could be playing themelves. The film touches on many of the struggles of todays modern western world, money, education, career etc and one mans desire to escape it all, live with nature and find his true meaning of life. The superb acting, directing by Sean Penn and stunning scenery of Alaska is accompanied by gorgeous, mostly original music by Pearl Jam's lead singer Eddie Vedder. For all of these reasons and others it is a film you can watch over and over, so take yourself on this journey and you wont be disappointed. Follow your wildest dreams!