The crash scene is one of the best ever... absolutly roller-coaster, edge of your seat terrifying. Afterward, the survivors begin the
heart breaking task of setting aside the dead and taking care of the wounded. Idealist, maybe even perfectionist, Antonio Balbi (Vincent Spano) is probably a very good captain for his rugby team; he possesses all the qualities expected of someone in this position. His failure comes from his not adapting to circumstances that demand a new kind of leadership... He exhaust himself by demanding too much of his players, and too much of himself, by taking everything on his shoulders. Overwhelmed by his sense of responsability, he is driven to the edge of nervous collapse under the repeated attacks of the bad mood of the team toward him, of the loss of their meager provisions, and of the discovery that the rescue attempts have been abandonned.
When the team discusses the possibility of eating their dead, he is heard saying somberly : "This is the beginning of the end!" For him, it is. Shortly after, he is killed in an avalanche. Perhaps, he had died sometime earlier, lost his spirit and all the mountain had to do was respond to his death wish.
The two new leaders, Roberto Canessa (josh Hamilton) and Nando Parado (Ethan Hawke) are much more adaptable and pragmatic. They understand that survival depends on the life force of all, the cohesion of the group rather than the managerial genius of one. When the weather improves, they set about to find help and eventually save their friends.
It is difficult to depict in 2 hours the adventures of 20 people, so, much of it is sketchy. Some personalities are more prominent than others:
There is Lileana Methol (ileana Douglas) one of the only women to survive, whose strength and dignity is an inspiration for all. We meet the tender Carlito (Bruce Ramsey) who leads the spiritual life of the group. Bobby Francois (Jack Noseworthy) is also interesting as the chain smoking philosopher who, from the start, disengages himself from the situation, as if it happened to someone else. Finally, we get glimpses of the airplane mechanic who choses to take refuge in the discordant humour of insanity.
Proving that you can never please everyone, some critic have declared themselves grossed out by the cannibalism (I'd tend to agree, except for the fact that the story really happened) while others complained that it was not detailed enough. Granted that the meat-eating parts are demurely handled, with the morsels nicely presented, rather like a tray of hors d'oeuvres, on a piece of airplane fuselage, methinks, personally that there are places where too much realism is simply not a good thing.
I've also heard some people say that it was boring, after the crash, nothing happened... well, you bet : the survivors just waited in the perfection of despair, nothingness on a pristine canvas of snow and sky, semi-organic existence with, no food, no distractions, no heat... and for them the ability of experienceing boredom must have been an absolute benediction.
It was a powerful film, not everybody liked it, because it did not fit everyone's idea of what is proper or entertaining. It had something important to say about being human, when I first saw it, I did not feel especially entertained, but definitly, definitly stirred.
ChaosD, 09-18-2000
(translated : 05-03-2001)
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