Film review: The Mountain Between Us starring Idris Elba & Kate Winslet & my chat to director Hany Abu-Assad

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Published on Wednesday, 04 October 2017 11:03

Last Updated on 03 October 2017

Monica Costa

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What if your life depended on a stranger?

 

After an incoming storm forces the cancellation of her flight to New York, talented photojournalist Alex Martin finds herself stuck in Idaho the night before her wedding. Scrambling to make it home in time, she hits upon a longshot idea and charters a plane to Denver in the hopes of catching the red-eye to New York that same night. Another stranded passenger, Ben Bass, a skilled British neurosurgeon due back on the East Coast to perform a critical, life-saving operation, tunes out his own misgivings about the plan and joins her.

 

 

As Alex and Ben fly ahead of inclement weather in a small Piper two-seater, their pilot suffers a massive stroke, and the small craft crashes in the deep snows of the Uinta Mountains in northeastern Utah. Trapped in the remote region with little hope of rescue, the two weary travellers embark on a terrifying and transformative pilgrimage across the unforgiving reaches of the vast, rugged terrain, fighting against the elements, animals and time. Under the most extreme circumstances imaginable, they gradually learn to trust one another, and a powerful connection grows between them—one that will reshape the course of their lives.

 

 

A sweeping tale of love and survival,The Mountain Between Us stars Academy Award^® winner Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs, The Reader) and Golden Globe^® winner Idris Elba (Beasts of No Nation, Luther, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom). The film is directed by Academy Award nominee Hany Abu-Assad (Paradise Now, Omar) from a screenplay by Academy Award nominee Chris Weitz (About a Boy) and J. Mills Goodloe (The Age of Adaline), based upon the book by Charles Martin. A Chernin Entertainment Production presented by Fox 2000 Pictures, THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US is produced by Peter Chernin, p.g.a., Jenno Topping, p.g.a., and David Ready, and executive produced by Becki Cross Trujillo and Fred Berger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The verdict

 

If you love romance in a life or death situation and you love mountains, this movie is definitely for you.

 

With his novel The Mountain Between Us, author Charles Martin examines how two strangers with distinctive personalities – Alex Martin and Ben Bass are both exceedingly accomplished and committed to their respective professions – compromise and adapt to one another under extreme duress across a brutal landscape toward salvation, and ultimately, love.

 

At its core, the tale offers an endearing exploration of humanity’s optimistic, loving and giving spirit that reminds us to always have hope and live in the present.

 

 

Starring as Alex and Ben are two of the most respected actors working today: Academy Award winner Kate Winslet (The Reader) and Golden Globe winner Idris Elba (Luther).

 

Alex is bold, fearless and feisty, a photojournalist known for her maverick methods and dogged determination. True to form, she cuts it close traveling back to New York and ends up stuck in Idaho the day before her wedding to long-term boyfriend Mark. When her flight is cancelled due to inclement weather, she is determined to find a solution, partnering with a stranger to charter a flight that will get them both closer to their destination.

 

Ben Bass is a renowned children’s neurosurgeon on his way to New York to perform a vital, complicated procedure the following morning. He is precise, methodical and disciplined, both in life and career and, though reluctant to board a small plane, he sees no other option. That decision sets in motion a harrowing series of events that will set the stage for Alex and Ben to forge a deep, unique and lasting bond.

 

In Alex, Kate Winslet said that she saw the opportunity to portray a strong female protagonist whose mental strength and clarity become vitally important to her survival, a woman who is every bit as well drawn and alive as Ben. 

 

Likewise, Idris Elba, well known for searing turns on the BBC series Luther and in films such as Beasts of No Nation and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, was drawn to the role of Ben, a man as strong and capable as he is handsome. He commented: “This movie examines the concept that there’s no perfect scenario to meet someone you’re going to fall in love with. In fact, sometimes the most extreme scenarios become a better place to understand if you can love someone or not because you’re facing them in a circumstance that isn’t comfortable.”

 

Watch my interview with Palestinian director Hany Abu-Assad, the Oscar-nominated filmmaker known for his foreign-language dramas Omar and Paradise Now, both political dramas dealing with themes of occupation and oppression. He talks how he kept motivated the stars under tough circumstances on the mountain and why he wants to bring back epic romance in survival scenarios. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cast and crew were gratified by what they accomplished during their time in the Percell Mountains—capturing remarkable performances in imposing and formidable terrain, and the vast and stunning grandeur of the landscape as well. Despite the physical hardships, Elba was quick to point out that, “These mountains are beautiful, the views go on forever, and you feel quite special. I felt very privileged to be able to make this movie and see these vistas that probably not many human beings will ever get to see in real life.”

 

 

The chemistry between Idris and Kate is not amazing despite being both top stars and at times the story has loose ends.The Mountain Between Us is a movie that needs to be seen on the big screen rather than on a TV screen. Catch it in cinemas from 6th October before it’s too late. 

 

London Mums’ rating: 7/10