Infinite Storm

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.

There is a sparseness to the writing which is wonderful. It does not force emotion but gently coaxes. I found the final scene, especially with Billy Howle's story, quite moving. In the end, I felt Pam Bales' story well worth telling. Locations in Slovenia really work.... Ha apparently I have to burn off a few hundred more words for this review to be accepted! So much for sparseness. I will say Naomi Watts does her best work in years and clearly on a difficult shoot. I will make note of the director and watch out for her work in the future. Malgorzata Szumowska! A hard name to forget. Anyway well done Mal!

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.

I'm sure that everyone involved with this project had very good intentions and that the real events in which the story is inspired must have been way more engaging, but the end result is rather dull and unremarkable.

I feel almost guilty to describe such a well intentioned story like boring and not engaging, but unfortunately that's what I felt while watching it.

I kept waiting for a twist or a reveal that would add tension or emotion to an otherwise rather dull story of survival, but it didn't happened.

The fact that "John" acts like an idiot almost all the time didn't help.

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.