Everest

 

Everest 2015

• Director: Baltasar Kormákur
• Seen by this director: Adrift
• Based on the book: no
• Cast: Jason Clarke, John Hawkes, Emily Watson, Keira Knightly, Josh Brolin, Jake Gyllenhaal and quite a lot of others in small roles
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Jason Clarke – First Man, The Great Gatsby, Trust, Public Enemies, Rabbit-Proof Fence
• John Hawkes – The Peanut Butter Falcon, Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri, Contagion, Lost, Winter’s Bone, The Miracle at St Ana, A Slipping Down Life
• Emily Watson – Genius, Testament of Youth, The Theory of Everything, The Book Thief, The Politician’s Husband, Cemetery Junction, Fireflies in the Garden, Wah-Wah, Equilibrium, Punch-Drunk Love, Gosford Park, Cradle Will Rock, Hilary & Jackie, The Boxer, Breaking the Waves
• Keira Knightly – The Imitation Game, Love Actually, Never Let Me Go, Atonement, Pirates of the Caribbean, King Arthur, Bend It Like Beckham, Star Wars Episode I
• Josh Brolin – Dune, Hail Caesar, True Grit, Milk, No Country for Old Men, The Dead Girl
• Jake Gyllenhaal – Life, Prisoners, Rendition, Zodiac, Brokeback Mountain, Day After Tomorrow, The Good Girl, Donnie Darko
• Why? The cast and the subject.
• Seen: 5 April 2023      

       Oh yay, another mountain climbing film. Who can resist? I love mountains. I’m terrified of heights.

       Climbing Mount Everest has become a commercial affair and the base camp is filled with rivalling companies paid to lead a variety of adventurers to the summit and back safely. Some have reached many other peaks, some have health issues, some have family issues. It’s dangerous for everyone and there are no guarantees.

       Of course, the scenery is stunning, sensational, spectacular and every other superlative you can think of. The story is more realistic than other climbing films. It is indeed based on a true story. The characters are just developed enough to care about.

       The last bit is very suspenseful. 

4* of 5