Movie Review: The Alpinist

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

An excellent documentary about mountain climber, Marc-André Leclerc. 

As with any film about mountain climbing the most obvious praise is that the movie looks beautiful. There is a reason that these people are so drawn to places like these. They are incredible and awe inspiring to look at. While nothing compares with seeing them in person, they still look incredible on a movie screen (you really need to see this in a theater). This is reason enough to see the film, but it is not the only reason at all. 

This movie is just as much of a character study of its Marc-André as it is about mountain climbing. Luckily he is a fascinating person to watch. He is social awkward and never fully comfortable around the camera, but this only makes him come off as more genuine and natural. You never have any doubt that you are seeing the real deal in front of the camera. What is also fascinating is how he looks so confident, comfortable and calm on these incredibly dangerous climbs. Looking at him you would think that he is simply talking a walk around the block. It is impossible to watch this movie and not be a little envious of him and inspired by him. Yet at the same time the film does not hide his faults (including his past drug addiction) but talks about them openly and honestly without ever once taking away our respect for the guy. His relationships with his girlfriend, mother and even the filmmakers is fascinating to watch unfold as he has a quite different relationship with all of them. 

Still this movie can lose its focus at times as with when we get a brief history lesson about mountain climbing that interrupts the story of our main character and focus. There are also times when various people being interviewed say essentially the same thing and that can feel a little repetitive.

Despite any faults this is an excellent documentary.