Everest (2015)

Cast includes:
CHARACTER	ACTOR/ACTRESS	RATING
Rob Hall	Jason Clarke	½
Scott Fischer	Jake Gyllenhaal
Beck Weathers	Josh Brolin
Peach Weathers	Robin Wright
Doug Hansen	John Hawkes	½
Guy Cotter	Sam Worthington	½
Jon Krakauer	Michael Kelly
Jan Arnold	Keira Knightley
Helen Wilton	Emily Watson	½
Michael Groom	Thomas Wright
Andy "Harold" Harris	Martin Henderson
Dr. Caroline Mackenzie	Elizabeth Debicki
Yasuko Namba	Naoko Mori
Ed Viesturs	Clive Standen
Sandy Hill	Vanessa Kirby
Neal Beidleman	Tom Goodman-Hill
Anatoli Boukreev	Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson

Review

In 1996, expeditions to Mount Everest were at an all-time high, with several commercial mountaineering groups offering guided climbs for more or less experienced climbers. This film by Icelandic filmmaker Baltasar Kormákur follows the expeditions of two such groups, one led by New Zealander Rob Hall (Jason Clarke) and one led by American Scott Fisher (Jake Gyllenhaal), as they both embark on a risky ascent to the summit of Everest on May 10th 1996. With a straightforward narrative style and great attention to detail, Kormákur is able to create a contrasting atmosphere of majestic achievement and looming tragedy, as the film's ensemble of free-spirited, nature-loving, adrenalin-seeking characters prepare for the climb of their lives. In a rather slow first half, where Kormákur chooses a patient build-up, the film is breathtaking with its wonderful cinematography and location shooting, and the director presents the film's broad cast of characters skilfully and lets us familiarize ourselves with them. This effectively sets the stage for the climb itself, which is as enthralling and suspenseful as any psychological thriller. And still the film never feels contrived or manipulative, but rather as an important story about an ill-fated day. There are fine performances by the entire cast, with special mention to Clarke, Gyllenhaal and Emily Watson.