The Mountain movie review & film summary (2023)

In the most untouched and extreme natural surroundings, one's perception of time can undergo a transformation. As a character in T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land" expressed, "In the mountains, there you feel free." Time becomes less rigid, a constraint less binding. In Thomas Salvador's film "The Mountain," directed and starred in by Salvador himself, the concept of time is explored in a way that challenges one's customary understanding of it. The film invites viewers to surrender to its deliberate pace, diverging significantly from the swift rhythms prevalent in contemporary cinema, especially within genres, although "The Mountain" itself defies easy categorization. It's a movie that thrives on minimal explanation, leaving much to discovery.

Mountain Filming

The narrative of "The Mountain" commences with Pierre, portrayed by Salvador, a poised and attractive middle-aged man, seemingly leading a conventional life in his French apartment. Engaging in routine activities like sipping espresso and tidying up, he sets off on a journey with a suitcase in tow, joining colleagues on a train bound for an industrial park in the Alps. Here, Pierre showcases his company's latest invention, a robotic kitchen aid, yet finds himself captivated by the mountainous landscape visible through the conference room window. As his colleagues depart, Pierre decides to linger. Intrigued by an illustration of a mountaineering basecamp, he purchases a tent and embarks on a skiing trip, eventually setting up camp in an area marked with caution. Pierre's calm demeanor and self-assurance lead him to gradually disconnect from his former life, reaching a point where he resolves to remain atop the mountain indefinitely, informing his mother via a postcard and seeking assistance from a local chef for provisions .Despite the disapproval of family members and the absence of any articulated philosophical motives, Pierre remains resolute in his decision. 

The storyline doesn't unfold as expected, deviating from the anticipated catastrophe akin to "Into the Wild." Instead, it takes a turn reminiscent of "Altered States," albeit with a more otherworldly, anthropological exploration. Pierre's solo journey into a glacier crevasse in pursuit of something fallen or crashed sets off a narrative journey rich in vivid imagery captured by cinematographer Alexis Kavyrchine and complemented by an evocative electronic score by Chloé Thévenin. Salvador's film seeks to tap into something elemental within its audience; embracing its vision might lead to an intriguing and immersive experience.

Source : https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-mountain-movie-review-2023