Based on the events of the 1996 Everest disaster, this adventure thriller portrays the dramatic story of two mountaineering groups and their goal to reach the peak of the tallest summit in the world. Rob Hall (Jason Clark) is one of three Adventure consultant guides. Everest follows group members Beck Weathers (Josh Brolin), a skilled climber, Doug Hanson (John Hawks), an ambitious mailman, Yasuko Namba (Naoko Mori), an older businesswoman and Scott Fischer (Jake Gyllenhaal), the guide of the second group Mountain Madness as they face the deadly temperament of nature at its full force and their continued radio interactions with Helen Wilton (Emily Watson), the base camp supervisor.
Captured partially on location in Nepal, Italy and Iceland, the film boasts an array of visually charming cinematography whilst consistently maintaining the same authentic conditions than those set in the studio. The film’s use of perspective is not for the faint-hearted, most notably when the group cross a gaping crevice using a shaky makeshift bridge, and it is clear that director Baltasar Kormákur (Contraband, 2 Guns) has mastered how to make those of us with a fear of heights grip the edge of our seats for our lives.
Rob Hall is perhaps the closest to a central character, leaving his pregnant wife Jan (Keira Knightley) at home to embark on the expedition but the other personalities on-screen seem to fade into the background as an ensemble rather than individuals in their own right. Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire) seems to write with a focus on events and not on the dimensions of character, which called for less emotional involvement from the audience. With such a large cast and costumes that cover the faces of the actors with goggles and oxygen masks for the majority, Everest often leaves you feeling at moments confused and unable to distinguish characters, which detaches the audiences from the impact created by the range of star-studded set of performers involved.
What the film fails to address is why these people are risking their lives to accomplish this? Whilst the film offers a few ambiguous answers, the evident peril throughout calls for a greater emphasis on individual motivations. That said, the cast performances themselves could scarcely be faulted with particular praise due for Watson’s depiction of Helen Wilton who deteriorates from calm and collected to restrained angst when events take a turn for the worse on the mountain.
With all its highs and lows, Everest accomplishes numerous technical and visual feats, even if the narrative leaves something to be desired. Still, the film’s impact really hits hard when it draws parallels with the real-life victims and survivors of the disaster and is a nail-biter from start to finish and for this reason alone, makes Everest a recommended film to watch.
Dan Newby
Image: Universal Studios