>I really enjoyed this. Did not know that it was based on actual events or had ever heard of Chris McCandless before the credits ran at the end of the movie. I think it meant something to me partly because I spent a fair amount of time hitching and hiking across the country back in the mid-eighties.

I enjoyed it as well. There were a few things I didn't care for but they are mainly quibbles. I liked that it was left somewhat unanswered why McCandless turned his back on civilization to that extent. So many Hollywood movies try to square everything up and fit it in a box. Obviously Sean Penn's close friendship with Clint Eastwood has rubbed off on him as a director.