Director: Baltasar Kormakur
Starring: Josh Brolin, Jake Gyllenhaal and Jason Clarke
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors have earned the praise of Josh Brolin. Since his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Brolin has become an icon. Whether it’s drug dealers, infinity space scavengers or gangsters, Brolin is one of those actors that has played many characters. Arguably, Brolin’s finest strength as an actor has been his dedication to his craft. He’s one of those rare actors which has poured his heart and soul in every role. Brolin has had a powerful presence that has elevated every film he’s in. Through his ability to portray characters that are compelling, Brolin has built a legacy that has proven to be lasting. An actor with commitment to his craft, Brolin has become an icon in entertainment. Shining bright light in darkness, Brolin has become a celebrated icon on the modern entertainment business. Throughout a career, Brolin has made many movies that are definitely without any doubt worth seeing.
I’m a big fan of Brolin and adore all films he has made in his career. However, “Everest” is my favourite. Released in 2015, Baltasar Kormakur’s film offered a powerful portrait of mountain survival. Packed with stunning set design, engaging storytelling and bold acting, it’s one of the best films ever made about survival. Af the centres of it all is an extraordinary performance by Josh Brolin, who plays a mounter climber facing tension. Ultimately, what makes “Everest” a timeless classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most films about mountains, it discusses themes everyone will relate to. A strong masterpiece about survival, there are many reasons why “Everest” is a film which is absolutely worth watching.
Inspired by true events, “Everest” tells story of explorers embarking on expeditions on a mountain without rest. Josh Brolin portrays Beck Weathers, a curious explorer with love for adventures. Beck has often had lifelong passion for embarking upon adventures on mountains. Beck’s dreams come true when he’s given a chance to climb Mount Everest. Assisted with a team of explorers led by his companion Scott Fischer (Jake Gyllenhaal), Beck seeks to climb a huge mountain with a chance of a fall. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Beck questions his love for mountains he used to treasure. Faced with a tension, Beck is forced to question if it’s possible for him to truly climb a massive mountain.
Baltasar Kormakur is fascinated with stories of survival. A fantastic filmmaker, Kormakur has often made engaging movies about the lives of individuals that survive disaster. His iconic movie “The Deep” offered a powerful portrait of people surviving grim shipwrecks in deep. With “Everest”, however, Kormakur created his first ever mountain movie. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of explorers climbing a mountain facing catastrophe but he succeeded immensely. Using stunning cinematography, Kormakur captured a team of explorers which seek to survive mountain catastrophe. Inspired by Robert Zemeckis’ “Cast Away”, Kormakur effectively uses handheld camerawork to capture tensions faced individuals that are cast away. For instance, handheld camera elevates the huge mountain climbing scene. During this unforgettable scene, Beck and his team of explorers seek to climb Mount Everest. Using handheld camera, Kormakur constructs compelling portraits of mountain climbing. Using stunning visuals, Kormakur captured the tension that mountain climbers are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Everest” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Kormakur’s decision to shoot the film in real-life mountains is risky but works immensely. Throughout the film, Kormakur effectively uses real-life Everest locations to capture tensions that mountain climbers are facing. For instance, the real-life mountains enhance the expeditions scene. During this unforgettable scene, Beck and his team of explorers strive to survive a snow storm on mountain Everest. Using stunning locations, Kormakur creates an engaging portrayal of mountain climbing. Furthermore, the music score magnificent. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that mountain climbers bear. Using breathtaking production, Kormakur captures mountains facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Everest” is a stunning portrait of mountain tension. Emulating Danny Boyle’s “28 Days Later”, Kormakur uses silence to capture the lives of mountain climbers which are under intense pressure. For instance, the silence elevates the family reunion scene. During this unforgettable scene, Beck reunites with his long lost family following several years of separation. Through silence, Kormakur creates a portrait of mountain explorers that audiences can relate to. Using an excellent screenplay, Kormakur captures survivors of an apocalypse that comes with a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Josh Brolin delivers one of his best career performances as Beck Westhers. Brolin earned appreciation for playing sheriffs of doomed towns in crime dramas. With “Everest”; however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a mountain survivor but he succeeded. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and resentment of a mountain climber that faces tensions. It’s a powerful performance by one of the finest actors today.
While the film is mainly a strong showcase for Brolin, the supporting cast is also great and worthy appreciation. Jake Gyllenhaal is remarkable, coursing the strong nature of an explorer seeking to climb mountains that face a downfall. Jason Clarke is captivating, capturing the dedication of an explorer that seeks to climb dark mountains leaving bold mark. Lastly, Keira Knightley is deserving of appreciation. As a woman seeking to live on a mountain, she is heartbreaking.
Fans of Josh Brolin would absolutely enjoy “Everest” and so would movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A riveting crime thriller, it honours a mountain facing disaster.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about explorers with dedication seeking to climb a dangerous mountain, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a strong reputation by playing compelling characters in unforgettable movies which are worthy of tremendous celebration.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 