Before heading out to the cinema, my friends and I had been talking about Mars One and, even when there is a hope of returning, why anyone would willingly choose to go into space. A couple of hours later we were asking the same question about attempting to summit Everest.
Baltasar Kormákur’s film is an epic retelling of multiple expeditions in 1996. Following in Hillary’s footsteps, the capable New Zealander Rob Hall (Jason Clarke) has built a company on reliably leading groups up Everest. This year, his wife and fellow climber Jan (Keira Knightley) is staying at home, heavily pregnant with their first child. On the first night with Rob’s new intake, the leader is clear that this is a risky trip with no guarantees – evidenced by a fellow guide who’s lost a few toes on the mountain.
The group are a mixed bunch, including a gung-ho Texan, a guy working three jobs for a second attempt at the summit, and a magazine journalist reviewing the trip. They have a level of mountaineering experience and share in their sheer determination, but as paying customers, it’s Rob who has the obligation to get them to the top and back safely.
When they reach base camp and are packed in with other groups, the commercialisation of Everest becomes evident. One of which is led by friendly-rival Scott Fischer (Jake Gyllenhaal), who’s laidback and impulsive style is the opposite of Rob’s professionalism. After acclimatising through short climbs and bizarrely getting held up in congestion, the groups agree to work together to reach the summit on 10 May.
The cinematography delivers majestic shots of blockbuster proportions, clearly designed for IMAX 3D. You feel the wind-chill and clench your teeth at the shots down into the abyss of the crevasses. Whereas, the film’s other elements are more understated than you might expect. During the group’s ascent, a rogue storm hits and their journey takes a turn. Base camp becomes ground control as the group separates and their resourceful support group play the emotional role of communicating between them. The setbacks feel realistic and aren’t overdramatised – mistakes are made in split seconds rather than being drawn out for the camera.
The film’s narrative does have flaws; the individual’s motivations for putting themselves through this excruciating climb are only touched upon and it’s not always obvious who you’re rooting for. When disaster hits, it’s frustrating that the groundwork that has been laid about the characters doesn’t follow through to their actions. Jason Clarke gives a stand out performance in this ensemble piece. A native Aussie, his Kiwi accent is notable among others that are pretty ropey. Gyllenhaal and Knightley have unusually small support roles.
Everest is a tense and gripping adventure. It could have been more emotionally developed, and it would have been interesting to further explore the commercialisation of the Himalayas. However, it is affecting and, through its visual splendour, draws you into experiencing one place where humans are not designed to go.
Everest will be showing at Broadway cinema until Wednesday 30 September 2015 and is also showing in other Nottingham cinemas.
Everest Trailer
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
