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Where the Wild Things Are: The Best Man vs. Nature Movies
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The Edge (1997)
directed by Lee Tamahori
In this thrilling adventure, two men—refined billionaire Charles Morse (Anthony Hopkins) and the sleazy photographer Bob Green (Alec Baldwin), who is sleeping with Charles’ much younger wife—become closer than they ever imagined after their private plane hits a flock of geese in the North American wilderness and nosedives into a lake, killing the pilot. Charles and Bob survive and become unlikely allies during their struggle to be rescued. The situation becomes even more dire when they realize a vicious bear—played by Hollywood vet Bart the Bear (White Fang, Legends of the Fall)–has been stalking them. Though The Edge didn’t fare well with critics, this underrated, entertaining film is well worth checking out. Hopkins and Baldwin are both at the top of their game and are greatly aided by David Mamet’s witty, surprisingly funny script.
Cast Away (2000)
directed by Robert Zemeckis
Tom Hanks received a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his brave performance in this gripping, unpredictable adventure. Hanks stars as Chuck, a workaholic FedEx employee who gets stranded on a deserted tropical island after his plane crashes in the South Pacific. Chuck spends four years on the island in total isolation, during which time he undergoes physical and emotional transformations. His only companion is an inanimate object: A Wilson Sporting Goods volleyball that he names, appropriately enough, Wilson. Chuck’s relationship with Wilson, which he treats like a living person and frequently talks to, becomes surprisingly touching over the course of the film. It’s pretty much impossible not to root for Chuck during his extraordinary journey as he manages to defy the odds and, due to his persistence and undying hope, escape the island and return to society. Thanks to Hanks’ intimate, captivating performance and Zemeckis’ surefooted direction, Cast Away succeeds at being both a whirlwind roller coaster ride and an emotionally satisfying journey.
Into the Wild (2007)
directed by Sean Penn
Unlike most of the characters on this list, the main character in Into the Wild actually wants to live alone in the wilderness, though the end result of free spirit Chris McCandless’ journey is nothing less than tragic. Adapted from the non-fiction book by Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild follows Chris (Emile Hirsch) as he decides to abandon his material possessions and hitchhike across the country to live in the Alaskan wilderness. During his travels, he encounters a variety of people—played by Catherine Keener, Kristen Stewart, Vince Vaughn and a heartbreaking, Oscar-nominated Hal Holbrook, among others—who lend direction to his life. With its lush landscapes and meditative tone, the film expertly captures the beauty of nature, though writer-director Penn was sure not to sentimentalize the tragic end of Chris’ young life. Ironically, he died doing what he loved most: Eking out a solitary existence in the harsh, uncompromising wild.
127 Hours (2010)
directed by Danny Boyle
Much like Into the Wild’s McCandless, mountain climber Aron Ralston (James Franco) is a free spirit who loves to explore the wilderness in solitude… though his harrowing story, brought to life in 127 Hours, has a much more hopeful ending. Based on his autobiography Between a Rock and a Hard Place, 127 Hours sees Aron become trapped in the narrow passage at the bottom of a canyon when a huge boulder comes loose and crashes down on his arm. He quickly realizes that no one can hear his cries for help and that his meager supply of food and water means his chances of survival are near zero. He begins recording a video diary on his camera and comes to the conclusion that he must sever his crushed arm if he wants to live. After five days, he gathers enough will and determination to cut off his arm using a dull knife (one of the most gut-wrenching scenes in all of movie history) and is able to make his way out of the canyon. Ralston’s courageous story of survival was a success with both critics and audiences, picking up six Oscar nominations, including Best Actor and Best Picture.
Have a favorite man vs. nature movie not discussed above? Let us know in the comments!
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COMMENTS | POST A COMMENT 
- Comment by aboutpaydayloans on 2/02/12 at 11:56 am
I saw Into the Wild at the London Film Festival a few years ago and was truely moved, a great story and a great piece of cinematography.
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