[yasr_overall_rating]
Stranded after a tragic plane crash, two strangers must forge a connection to survive the extreme elements of a remote snow-covered mountain. When they realize help is not coming, they embark on a perilous journey across the wilderness.
If you love Idris Elba and Kate Winslet then boy is this the film for you! “The Mountain Between Us” feels like a Nicholas Sparks film with solid performances from two outstanding actors. The plot is intriguing but incisive at some points and some of the dialogue is pretty weak but with all this being said, I left the theater feeling exactly how I expected, satisfied.
Winslet plays Alex, a photographer stuck in the airport when storms prevent her from missing her wedding the next day. She then locates another passenger, Ben (Elba), a doctor who also is stuck in the same situation and claiming he must get back for an emergency surgery. Alex asks him to join her in chartering a plane, and they head out with a pilot named Walter (Beau Bridges) and his dog in order to get to Denver and then go to where they are needed. As if the storms weren’t enough problems, the pilot suffers a heart attack at 10,000 feet. The plane crashes and the pilot dies, but Alex, Ben, and the dog survive.
We then go on a journey with these characters who have to learn how to not only survive with limited resources but with each other. At first, they butt heads and mainly disagree with everything, but as the film moves along they begin to open sides to each other that only a life or death situation like this could invoke. They gradually become comfortable with each other and create a beautiful, fun, and witty relationship together. “The Mountain Between Us,” tells a vibrant survival story that puts the audience through a thrill ride but lets them breathe with a romantic story that is refreshing and sincere.
The plot is simple, and that’s all I wanted from this film. At first, I figured a romantic version of “Castaway” with Idris and Kate would not be my cup of tea, but I was wrong. There were several quit-witted lines that made me chuckle, I totally bought both of the characters, and I really felt that they were in love. A lot of love stories in movies today don’t have real authenticity and feel too forced. These two people are opposites and it works perfectly. The actors are able to pull off great moments that really suck you into the film, and not in a jarring way.
There are some intense moments throughout, but for the most part, this is a romantic film, with a deadly setting. The imagery in the film is gorgeous, and there are many shots of the film that are jaw-dropping. It’s always great to have a film that keeps you interested in two characters and looks stunning at the same time.
All in all, the story and script are just good enough but without these two prestige actors, this film would have probably aired on Lifetime. But the visuals and acting really carry this mediocre film to be the best it can be. I would highly recommend this film for a weekend date night.
In theaters Friday, October 6th
