Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Hany Abu-Assad, 20th Century Fox, M, 112 Minutes.
This latest production from award winning Israeli director Hany Abu-Assad-following his recent release of ‘Omar’-is as much a survival story as it is a romantic drama that sees two people’s struggle against winter’s extreme elements in Utah’s mountainous wilderness.
With all flights grounded and anxious to get to New York for an important meeting two complete strangers including photojournalist Alex Martin (Kate Winslet –‘Divergent’) and neurosurgeon Ben Bass (Idris Elba – ‘Mandela’) decide to hire a small plane.
Soon after taking off the plane is seen crashing into a snow-covered mountain caused by a sudden stroke suffered by the pilot Walter (Beau Bridges in a cameo appearance).
Although both are distraught from their distressing experience the spirited Alex is soon mollified by the mild-mannered Ben and the dead pilot’s dog as Ben dispenses the necessary medical care on the injury sustained by Alex from the crash.
After dealing with a dangerous cougar-assisted by the dog’s daring efforts-Alex then convinces Ben to leave the crash site and commence their slow slog across the dense snowfields where further dangers await them around the corner.
During the course of their ordeal-made worse by Alex’s inability to walk Ben is forced to drag her behind him on a makeshift sled leading to an intimate relationship being developed despite Alex having a fiancé waiting back home.
When they finally manage to reach civilisation after crossing the forest, a frozen lake and several mountains they are subsequently provided with medical treatment for their respective injuries before they appear to go their separate ways.
But that is not the end of the story and as shown in the romantic scenes Alex and Ben cannot escape the profound affection they still feel for each other following their grim struggle for survival in the snow.
Abu-Assad’s surreal survival story is an enjoyable movie experience shot against the cinematic beauty of the majestic mountain settings and snowfields that blends a romantic adventure between two strangers within a stirring storyline.
Apart from the dire drama faced in ‘The Mountain Between Us’ the major highlight is the compelling performances by both leading actors with the enthralling Elba stealing most of the scenes he shares with the appealing Winslet.
The TV movie The Mountain Between Us is to be televised on Channel 7flix at 9.00pm on Saturday 16 October.
Vic’s Verdict: 3 ½ Stars
