Meru (2015)

I don't understand mountain climbing. I mean, I appreciate John Krakauer doing his damndest to explain it as a talking head here, but the truth is that I don't want to understand it. To me, it's like trying to understand self-flagellation. The thought of exhaustedly standing atop a mountain, finally having achieved a near impossible goal, and then having to GET BACK DOWN? No thank you.

This film, for me, only explains myopic obsession. A team of three attempts a never-done-before climb and doesn't achieve the summit. It's a horrible experience, leaving one (Renan) disillusioned with his team and another certain he'll never return. But, years later, after Renan stages a stunning recovery from a devastating skiing accident, the team decides to try again despite warnings that he could suffer a stroke in the attempt. Why would the other two agree to this? Reckless obsession is my only answer to that.

But wow. That shot of them sitting on that teeny tiny ridge together? Thrilling. I admit it.

C+