Review of Everest

With mostly uncomplimentary reviews, a lack of stellar names in the cast, and the downbeat nature of the story, I can’t help feeling that Everest is going to be one potential blockbuster that will have disappointing returns. If true, that will be a shame, as this riveting true story really ought to be seen on a big screen.

It’s 1996 and with the boom in companies organising ascents of the world’s highest mountain for amateur climbers, the scaling of the peak is no longer only available to the elite few. Also, with a very small window of opportunity each year, because of the mostly unfavourable weather conditions, the mountain is almost jammed with people trying to reach the top.

Two such groups are led by Rob Hall (Jason Clarke) and Scott Fischer (Jake Gyllenhaal). When they both want to make their ascents on the same day they agree to team up, but with some of their clients suffering from the effects of altitude, mistakes in the preparation and a storm closing in, disaster strikes with the greatest loss of life ever seen on the mountain.

This is a stunning looking film, with only one sequence too obviously green screened – oddly, it’s the one that has been released to show on TV features, which is not going to encourage people to see the movie – and it really gives you the feeling on being in the icy conditions. The story is well told, and unlike a lot of other reviewers, I did not find it hard to keep track of all the characters involved.

Clarke, an unlikely star in the making, gives another impressive performance, nicely supported by Josh Brolin and John Hawkes. The female characters are by necessity (because this is a true story) relegated to smaller roles back at base camp or on the phone at home. However, Emily Watson (as the camp manager) excels, being able to convey more with a look than most performers can with reams of dialogue.

This is truly a spectacular film and is very moving towards the end.

Rating: 8 out of 10