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Everest (2015)

Director:
Baltasar Kormákur
COUNTRY
United Kingdom/USA
GENRE
Biography/Drama
NORWEGIAN TITLE
Everest
RUNNING TIME
121 minutes
Producer:
Baltasar Kormákur
Tim Bevan
Eric Fellner
Nicky Kentish Barnes
Tyler Thompson
Brian Oliver
Screenwriters (based on a book by Beck Weathers):
Baltasar Kormákur
Simon Beufoy


Cast includes:

CHARACTER ACTOR/ACTRESS RATING
Rob Hall Jason Clarke ˝
Scott Fischer Jake Gyllenhaal
Beck Weathers Josh Brolin
Peach Weathers Robin Wright
Doug Hansen John Hawkes ˝
Guy Cotter Sam Worthington ˝
Jon Krakauer Michael Kelly
Jan Arnold Keira Knightley
Helen Wilton Emily Watson ˝
Michael Groom Thomas Wright
Andy "Harold" Harris Martin Henderson
Dr. Caroline Mackenzie Elizabeth Debicki
Yasuko Namba Naoko Mori
Ed Viesturs Clive Standen
Sandy Hill Vanessa Kirby
Neal Beidleman Tom Goodman-Hill
Anatoli Boukreev Ingvar Eggert Sigurđsson

 

Review

In 1996, expeditions to Mount Everest were at an all-time high, with several commercial mountaineering groups offering guided climbs for more or less experienced climbers. This film by Icelandic filmmaker Baltasar Kormákur follows the expeditions of two such groups, one led by New Zealander Rob Hall (Jason Clarke) and one led by American Scott Fisher (Jake Gyllenhaal), as they both embark on a risky ascent to the summit of Everest on May 10th 1996. With a straightforward narrative style and great attention to detail, Kormákur is able to create a contrasting atmosphere of majestic achievement and looming tragedy, as the film's ensemble of free-spirited, nature-loving, adrenalin-seeking characters prepare for the climb of their lives. In a rather slow first half, where Kormákur chooses a patient build-up, the film is breathtaking with its wonderful cinematography and location shooting, and the director presents the film's broad cast of characters skilfully and lets us familiarize ourselves with them. This effectively sets the stage for the climb itself, which is as enthralling and suspenseful as any psychological thriller. And still the film never feels contrived or manipulative, but rather as an important story about an ill-fated day. There are fine performances by the entire cast, with special mention to Clarke, Gyllenhaal and Emily Watson.

Copyright © 11.01.2018 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang

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