Fine Lines

I had no idea about this until today and gave it a watch. I've had the privilege to spend some time in the mountains now and even some with the folks in this film. I've watched friends take big ones in front of me and had some close calls in there too. I give it a 10 on the caveat that, when the right person at the right time maybe for the right reasons watches this it will land like nothing else out there.

Nothing I've seen gets as close to drawing out the real nuances available in endeavors such as these, through the eyes of the people who have walked the mile. I don't think it's a question of which is better, Free Solo, Dawn Wall, or this.

Each are equally remarkable in their own right, each, for the first time, took the whole world along along with them. Each makes the other better and adds to the narrative.

Tommy nails one late in a film that in whole is a sum of quotable content when he says, "we're no longer focused on what we're doing, we're focused on the story we're going to tell as we're doing it. We have the privilege to inspire in a way that we never could in the past. But, I feel like there's a loss...walk that balance delicately."

It's like we got Tommy on The Dawn Wall and we get a meta Dawn Wall Tommy here * 20. A better question might be, what's next and who is next?

I have watched over 30 films on climbing, and this by far is my favourite. Much care went into this immensely inspirational documentary which included athletes/legends that spanned generations. Unlike other films in this genre which take on the same format of following the protagonist and their "adventure"(Meru, Free solo, Dawn Wall and dozen others ) this film stands out because it delves into their psyche and is for those who enjoy being contemplative and thinking about the "why's" of life. It's not at all sport centric and deeply meditative. They hit on topics you don't usually hear them talk about. Brilliantly done, and have watched more than once.

A fantastic film any climbing enthusiast will enjoy. It is not your typical climbing documentary where you follow a climber on their adventure overcoming some impossibly hard route. Instead, this is 20 of the most recognizable faces from all disciplines of the sport (Alex Honnold, Adam Ondra, Lynn Hill, etc) each having a very open conversation about some of the most difficult aspects of climbing. Topics range from their draws to climbing, the inherent risk in the sport, a very real look at death, the drawbacks of social media on professionals lives, and far more.

Many may be turned off by a climbing documentary without a specific mountain to be overcome, but it is a fantastic glimpse into how these amazing athletes view some incredibly difficult questions often not considered. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone interested in climbing in any way.

Even though it centers around mountain athletes, I wouldn't say this is a sports film. It's way more about the human condition. It's a peek inside the minds of people who intentionally put themselves in extreme environments to test their minds, bodies, and mettle. Their insights can be related to just about every aspect of life of any average person. There is some serious sage wisdom from people who have experienced what most of humanity has actively avoided and minimized for millennia. For as yell-tastic as Ondra is while climbing, he offers calm and carefully measured thoughts. Lynn Hill and Tommy bring in questions of the trappings of our modern, tech-filled life into things we used to see as sacred. Messner sees everything in piercing reality that few can. All of them offer something that adds a perspective and insight that are unique - it's amazing to have them all in one film.

I can honestly say this film changed my life. That's a big statement, I know. But it is true and I am grateful to have experienced it.

I realize that a lot of people may not "get it." It's probably important to know that this is more of a thought-provoking, inward-looking film, rather than any kind of thriller. I heard someone say this film reads more like a book, and couldn't agree more. It moves you through a series of perspectives and gives you time to digest and take in the thoughts you have. It drives you into a place where you begin to really look at what matters. It gives you a contrast control dial for your own life, allowing you to push a lot of greys into black and white situations. And yet I still find room for nuance and even more questions.

I cannot recommend this film enough, to anyone who spends time thinking and soul searching, anyone who enjoys reading, and anyone seeking more from life than what is offered by the masses.

This documentary gets you thinking about what it means to have purpose in life and what following your dreams means, risks and all. You don't need to be a climber or enamoured by alpinism or extreme sports to find so much meaning in this beautifully crafted film. Best documentary I've seen in a very long time.