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You could call Sean Penn a man of few words.
At least when it comes to talking to reporters about his film "Into the Wild."
Penn arrived -- with his wife, Robin Wright Penn -- at last night's L.A. premiere of his new movie looking none too happy to face a red carpet lined with photographers, TV crews and reporters.
He posed for photos briefly -- if looking surly can be called a pose -- then spoke to a CNN reporter. After sounding annoyed by a question, he bolted into the Directors Guild, leaving reporters, E!, TV Guide Channel and other TV crews shouting for him to come back and talk. A studio publicist was helpless and apologetic.
Penn's behavior certainly doesn't bode well for all the necessary glad-handing that's an essential part of a best director or best movie campaign.
But the film is astonishing on all levels.
Penn directed and wrote the screenplay based on Jon Krakauer's book about Chris McCandless, a disillusioned Emory University graduate who left a privileged life and wandered for two years before disappearing into the Alaskan wilderness, becoming, depending on your point of view, a noble Thoreau-esque hero or a tragically naive idealist.
Emile Hirsch gives an award-worthy performance as Chris, and his costars are Hal Holbrook, Marcia Gay Harden, Jena Malone, Kristen Stewart and Vince Vaughn. All of them sang Penn's praises -- as a director and a person -- last night.
Penn had wanted to make this film for 10 years. But he waited until McCandless' family gave approval for it to be made.
"This movie is what I've wanted to say for a long time," a soft-spoken Penn told the DGA audience, before thanking Krakauer and the McCandless family, who were in the audience.
Afterwards, people stayed for a party in the DGA lobby, decorated with a kayak and large photos of the Alaskan wilderness with quotes from Chris' journal, which hunters found with his body inside an abandoned bus.
Penn didn't talk to reporters at the party either. Apparently, he thinks his film can speak for itself. And it does.
Photo credits: Don't even try talking to Sean Penn about "Into the Wild." But feel free to chat with "Wild" star Emile Hirsch, who gives a heart-wrenching performance.
FilmMagic
The movie was incredible! It's Sean Penn's finest work as a director. I loved to hear how it all came about, how he met the family 10 years previously and was denied because the event was still too fresh in the McCandless families' memories. Then after being granted permission, Sean Penn flew out with author Jon Krakauer to meet again with the family and get this movie right. During eight months of filming on the road, Sean shot his movie at several locations; some of which were flat out freezing (the Alaskan locations). I liked hearing the stories of kayaking an Alaskan class 5 river. The lead actor Emile Hirsch had not ever been in a kayak and was a little scared to do the shot. Sean Penn said, "I'll do it if you do it!" Then Sean went first! Sean went all out to make this film great by making a commitment to the family and Chris McCandless to get this film accurate. It was also obvious to me that Sean Penn became obsessed to make this a great movie from the time he first picked up the book in the early 90's and read the book cover to cover--twice. Emile Hirsh is seen here accepting his award for the Mill Valley Film Festival this past week. Emile Hirsch is in almost every scene of this movie and is brilliant in his role. He lost over 45 lbs making the movie. He said his worst time during the movie was the grizzly scene and his happiest was when it was over. Sean said the grizzly scene was his favorite scene and the day it ended he was sorry (jokingly). Sean Penn's commitment to his acting, and now directing, makes him the most impressive movie figure of my generation. Remember that the guy who gives Christopher McCandless the boots in the movie was the real life character, and the watch that was given to him was really Christopher McCandless's watch he left with the man before entering into Alaska. Emile Hirsch wears it in the movie.
One other tad-bit, Rainey the hippie dude in the movie (longest hair in the movie- trust me) was Emile Hirsch's kayak instructor who Sean Penn gave a part to in the movie. He's absolutely classic and maybe has the best line in the movie, so look for Rainey!! Go see this movie people, it will affect you in a good way I promise! HAPPINESS IS REAL ONLY WHEN SHARED!
HAL HOLBROOK WAS CLASSIC IN THIS MOVIE!!
(Sean Penn gave Jerry Hannan a thumbs up on his talented song writing abilities and said he was proud to have his song writing friend in another one of his movies!)
Jack Trout See my write up at htt://mtshasta.com my weekly adventure blog!
Posted by: Jack Trout | September 23, 2007 at 09:01 AM
How old is Elizabeth Snead, eleven?
Posted by: Chris Coulson | September 19, 2007 at 09:32 PM
I just finished the book and it was amazing! After seening Alaska myself just a few weeks ago, I cant beleive that the journey Chis decided to take knowing full well he may not live though it and stil decided to see the 'Last Frontier" himself. His couragous, chilling journey though survival, self indepentence and education in life out side of the norm is one that should be respected with this masterful film.
Posted by: Adrienne | September 19, 2007 at 08:16 PM
I read thids book not too long ago and it was both amazing and heartbreaking. I'd like to see the movie if only to see for my own eyes (on a movie screen, that is) the Alaskan wilderness that captivated McCandless so much.
Posted by: Kate | September 19, 2007 at 04:10 PM
DO YOU BLAME HIM. MOST OF YOU REPORTERS ARE PRETTY STUPID. YOU PEOPLE NEED TO ASK BETTER THOUGHT OUT QUESTIONS. FOR THE RECORD, EDDIE VEDDER'S SOUNDTRACK FOR THIS MOVIE IS A CHILLING MASTERPIECE.
Posted by: MOVIEMAN | September 19, 2007 at 10:50 AM