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Touching the Void 2003 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Kevin Macdonald
NR, 106 min. (images of terrifying acrophobia) |
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Starring: Joe Simpson, Simon Yates, Brendan Mackey, Nicholas Aaron, Richard Hawking
Producer: John Smithson
Screenplay: Joe Simpson (based on his book)
Cinematography: Mike Eley
Distributor: IFC Films
Released: 1.23.04 (Limited) |
Rating:
  (out of ) |
Touching the Void is unlike any film I have seen. At times both astonishing and terrifying, this docudrama puts to
rest any notions I might have had about mountain climbing - it's not going to happen. But I can also understand how
experiencing this film might inspire such newfound passion for overcoming one's fears. Based on the true account of
two mountain climbers, Joe Simpson and Simon Yates, the picture both describes and portrays the horrific events that
confronted them during a grueling climb up the Siula Grande, a 21,000 ft. peak in the Peruvian Andes. Most of their
climb was on sheets of ice and packed snow, which could give at any time. Many times they were more than 90 degrees
vertical, dangling from their ice picks and struggling to cover 200 ft. per day near the top of the mountain. Directed
by Kevin MacDonald (who won an Oscar for One Day in September), Touching the Void thrusts the audience
into the very real predicament that faced two men who stared death in the face and lived to tell about it.
The film is narrated by Simpson and Yates while their acting counterparts, Brendan Mackey and Nicholas Aaron, portray
the story on the mountain (which was shot on located in the Andes). This becomes more effective than merely a film
"based on a true story" with Hollywood sensationalism close behind, because the viewer can absorb both the harrowing
account from the real characters while translating the words into the story unfolding on screen. There is almost no
dialogue between the actors, so this becomes an ingenious device for the film. But then again, I guess there's not much to
say when frigid conditions threaten your life and your skill is only as good as your partner's next step.
Their story takes place in 1985, as the two 20-something Brits sought to achieve the almost impossible - ascend to the
top of Siula Grande and descend safely to tell about it. The three day journey to the peak, though difficult, was pedestrian
compared to the climb down. Making good time and confident about their success, mishap struck hard and fast. Joe's
misstep and subsequent fall shattered his fibula, driving the bone through his kneecap, which for a climber is an almost
certain death sentence. But Simon elected, some would say foolishly, to attempt to help Joe down the mountain by
lowering him 300 feet at a time, then climbing down to him to begin the process again. This dangerous proposition was met
with mishap yet again, as Joe suddenly found himself dangling in mid air, with Simon slowly realizing that something was
wrong. Convinced he must be incapacitated or dead, Simon cut the rope. We learn that Joe admits he would have done
the same thing if the roles were reversed, but what happened next defies our belief.
Joe found himself lying on a ledge of ice just above a deep, dark abyss beneath him. Helpless to climb out, he did the
unthinkable - he lowered himself down into the unknown, hoping the bottom was less than the length of his rope. Amazingly,
he finds his way out of the crevice, but the real adventure is just beginning. He must somehow traverse the thick snow
and rocky descent that awaits him, even though he can barely move, usually crawling 20 feet at a time, before passing out
from the pain or exhaustion. Meanwhile, Simon has made it down to the mountain to base camp, but is dealing with an
intense guilt from the ordeal. He will spend a few days to recoup his strength, which is fortunate because Joe is on his
way, one inch at a time.
The film is a wonderful example of the triumph of the human spirit in the face of impossible odds, and is a rebuke to many
Hollywood films that have tried this same formula. Joe's step-by-step retelling of the torturous descent down the mountain,
alone and badly dehydrated, has a definite impact, as evidenced by his own tears in the memory of the excruciating pain
he endured. There's a point in the film when Joe admits his atheism was tested and he didn't cry out to God for help, but
somehow I think someone was looking out for him on the way down.
MacDonald is able to frame the story in such a compelling manner that the breathtaking cinematography and camera angles
are icing on the cake of an already gripping motion picture. He intercuts the narrators and pictures with perfect precision,
allowing for just enough of each to emphasize the climbers' state of mind at each stage of the journey. Joe's amazing
story became a book, written by him, that inspired him to endure the six operations and two years of rehab in order to
one day climb again. Joe and Simon are still climbing to this day. Touching the Void is an immersive experience
and is certain to frighten almost any viewer, a film that stays true to its title.
© 2004 Jonathan Cornwell
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 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
| Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
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