Living Alone in very different ways

Into the Wild- 4/5

"Happiness is only real when shared" - this is poignant conclusion of central character Christopher McCandless just days before he dies alone in the Alaskan wilderness.

Writer/Director Sean Penn is not well known for being a bundle of laughs. In fact his features so far as director (The Indian Runner, The Crossing Guard, The Pledge) are all fine films, but maybe somewhat lacking in light relief. So some might approach this true story with some trepidation. After all, after graduating college McCandless drops out of the system to get away from his violent, arguing parents and travels America under the name of Alexander Supertramp, before trying (and failing) to survive by himself in the Alaskan wilderness. Surprisingly, the film turns out to be a rather warm picture of humanity. It could almost be seen as Penn's (whose politics have laid him open to the charge of being un-American) lovesong to his native country - taking in the majestic sweep of the varied countryside, the variety of wildlife and most of all the kindness and goodness of the people through the many different people McCandless meets along the way and who help him out. At times this borders on the over-indulgent - the film is slightly over-long and at times verges too close to being a wildlife documentary.

Emile Hirsch, who plays McCandless, has done good work in the past as one of a number of youngsters in films such as (Lords of Dogtown, Alpha Dog, The Girl Next Door), here he has to carry the film himself - often all by himself a la Tom Hanks in Cast Away. That he succeeds with some style and great charm confirms his graduation to a genuine leading man. He is ably supported by the ever-reliable likes of William Hurt and Marcia Gay Harden as his parents, and Catherine Keener and Vince Vaughn as those who meets along the way. Penn's direction is more inventive than previously, trying to visually match the emotional states of the characters, usually successfully, sometimes distractingly.

So don't put be off, there is a lot here to enjoy as well as to ponder and some fascinating slices of America.

In the most tenuous of tenuous links - another leading man with an inclination to live by himself in French romantic comedy:

I do /Prête-moi ta main - 3/5

Luis Costa (Alain Chabat) is a confirmed bachelor, but his mother and sisters are trying to bully him into getting married. In order to get them off his back, he hires the sister (Charlotte Gainsbourg (The Science of Sleep) of his best friend and colleague to stand him up at the altar. Predictably, through many complications, the pair fall for each.

Yes, it's utterly predictable, but Chabat and Gainsbourg make for very likeable and watchable leads and most of the funny bits are genuinely amusing. Neithe character in entirely believable and, in particular, you see little reason why she would ever fall for him. That said, believablity has never been a particular staple of the rom-com and there's enough lively sparring to keep things ticking on.

Undemanding, low-key entertainment, but with subtitles.