Em for Movies - Everest

I walked into Everest with no expectations, with no background or foreknowledge except that a storm would occur on the tallest mountain in the world. There was much more to it than that. The knowledge that it was a true story would have prepared me for a more harrowing journey than that.

In awe-inspiring 3D, I was blown away by the vistas, the shots and the ever-present awareness that we were at the edge of the world. My keen fear of heights nearly made me close my eyes, but the frankly stunning cinematography held me rapt.

The characters drew me in quickly; I followed their journey with hope and a slowly growing sense of dread. The tension built exquisitely and I was embroiled in the action before I could even acknowledge that any had taken place. Grounded in traditionalist storytelling, I was on high alert for an antagonist, for the telltale character flaws of hubris or malice, for errors or double-crosses I’d come to expect in a survival story. But I looked in vain. Reality is rarely that easy, and this story looked, felt, sounded and (turns out) is as true as possible.

I stumbled out of Everest emotionally drained and physically exhausted, as all of the muscles that had been tensed for two harrowing hours slowly relaxed. I could hardly answer my friends when they asked whether I had liked the movie. It was more of an experience, watching that brutal and beautiful struggle. I think that I did like it. I was moved and captivated, which is enough.

On the drinks scale, I was inclined to rate it an oxygen cocktail, after finding out that is an actual thing, but it sounds bloody impossible to make and may in fact be health food nonsense. So instead, I will rate it as a Dark Moon which is bold, chilling, and features enough caffeine to get your heart racing.

Likely the closest I will ever get to the Himalayas. Close enough.

Enjoy,
Em