​FILMS

everest

2015 review number 144:

Everest: (Drama/Adventure): 78 out of 100: If ever a film deserves to be seen on the big screen, this is it. The sweeping, majestic images of Mount Everest through a combination of location shooting and visual effects, places the viewer in the centre of a disaster epic. You feel like you are part of the journey undertaken by the climbers depicted in the story. Although there are several characters that are underdeveloped due to the large number of them, there's enough emotional depth generated by the key characters to ensure that we care about their fate.

 

In this story based on true events, New Zealander Rob Hall (Jason Clarke) is the leader of the expedition. He says goodbye to his pregnant wife Jan (Keira Knightley) who is naturally worried about her husband's safety. Hall leads a team of intrepid mountain climbers including Beck Weathers (Josh Brolin), a wealthy Texan experiencing marital owes with Peach (Robin Wright), writer Jon Krakauer (Michael Kelly), 47 year old Japanese woman Yasuko Namba (Naoko Mori), who has climbed six of the seven summits, and postman Doug Hansen (John Hawkes) who wants to show his daughter and school that an ordinary person can become a hero. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Scott Fisher, the leader of a rival climbing group. Other characters include Guy Cotter (Sam Worthington), a climber involved in the rescue efforts, Caroline Mackenzie (Elizabeth Debicki), a doctor involved with the Hall team, along with base camp operations manager and Hall's business partner Helen Wilton (Emily Watson).

 

The first third of the film attempts to develop the characters. This is standard storytelling as there's nothing sensational or memorable with the characterisations. Most of the screen time is devoted to Rob Hall and Clarke acts with bravado and conviction, although his accent is more his native Australian than New Zealand. Two other standout performers are Brolin and Hawkes, both of whom excel in their roles. You don't become as emotionally involved with the other climbers. Away from the expedition, Knightley and Watson generate enough fear for their loved ones that they make acting appear second nature to them.

 

The cinematography is  breathtaking. It's amazing how much of the climb is well-detailed. You appreciate the enormity of the situation through the excellence of the camerawork. When the climbers encounter the storm, thus jeopardising their return to base camp, you feel that the actors are experiencing the storm itself. The sound effects are rip-roaring and powerful, drowning out some of the dialogue but ultimately delivering the full effects of the disaster.

 

To propel the tension, the music score by Dario Marianelli generates enough mood without overpowering the scenes. Too often, a score in a production like this can swamp the dialogue but it's the sound effects which achieve this. That's not such a bad thing however as the effects provide a sense of realism.

 

Everest must be seen at the cinema to capture the full grandeur and spectacle of the film. This is a disaster of epic proportions without resorting to unbelievable resolutions. It's the next best thing to visiting Mount Everest itself.

 

Starring Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Jake Gyllenhaal, Emily Watson, Keira Knightley, Robin Wright, Elizabeth Debicki and Sam Worthington

(121 minutes)

Parental advice: Adult themes

Additional scene during or after credits: No

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOHS-mxn0RQ (Movie trailer)

(Reviewed on Thursday 24th September, 2015)

 

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