Face à la tempête

While this isn't an action packed thriller. It is a movie about dedication, perseverance, overcoming personal loss, and fortitude to get back home alive.

We are brought along with Pam (Naomi Watts) through a happenstance solo backcountry mountain rescue with all its relevant dangers. The movie is essentially a day in the life of Pam, just another of the unsung heroes who help people when they need it, wanting no reward or recognition. The act in itself is reward enough.

It seemed to me like the producers wanted to keep the movie as real as possible without the usual Hollywood glamorousness. Housing is like real people would live in, real backcountry trails, associated obstacles and the packing of gear like any experienced person would.

For those of us returning to cinemas post-pandemic, this was a visual joy: wide-screen snowy mountains, a looming and belting storm, an engaging out-doors woman. Be prepared to suspend disbelief, as this search-and-rescue person shows poor judgement and sets off seemingly ill-equipped into a storm, technically un-proficient in doing a self-rescue from a snow well.

Rather over-done rescue sequence of seemingly suicidal man who at times didn't seem worth saving.

Also a notable gaffe as the action was supposed to take place in November, but the times projected on the screen show sunup at 6AM and still light in the sky at 7:30PM, too long a day for that time of year.

Some pardonable melodrama, but still oddly satisfying in the end.

The story had a lot of potential. I get the theme of the story. But the pace was too slow and not much happens in the story. It was difficult staying focused and keeping my attention which considering I like slow burn movies means even this was too slow for me. I think another reviewer said it best that it needs more content in the story. Naomi Watts is a great actress and that has never been in doubt. But even she couldn't rescue this film.

Anyone looking for an exciting thriller will be disappointed but I appreciate the cinematography, really beautiful shots of snowy mountains. I view this film as a poem to life experiences. Done artfully. My perspective is that it succeeded in what it set out to do, but is difficult to categorize. I'd award a 6.9. I don't know diddly about rescue operations.

"Infinite Storm" is a good dramatic thriller with a simple story, a mysterious plot and a very visual development. The pacing is consistent, the narrative is fluid, and the narration uses several flashbacks. The photography is sumptuous, the soundtrack is pleasant and the editing is pleasant. The cast offers honorable performances, but it is essentially the performance delivered by Naomi Watts that gets all the attention. The set is attractive, turns out to be a very beautiful sight for the eyes, and above all, deserves much better than the poor reviews about it. To discover !