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The Mountain Between Us

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Idris Elba and Kate Winslet in The Mountain Between Us. (AP)
Idris Elba and Kate Winslet in The Mountain Between Us. (AP)

What it's about:

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 realise that help is not coming, they embark on a perilous journey across hundreds of miles of wilderness, pushing one another to endure, and discovering strength they never knew possible.

What we thought:

The Mountain Between Us is the stuff fantasies are made of.

If I were to get stuck on a snowy mountain with a total stranger after a plane crash, Idris Elba would definitely be at the top of my wish list.

But then again in real life I don’t think anyone would charter a small plane and dare to fly in stormy weather especially when big airlines cancelled a flight.

Hey, this is the movies so anything can happen. 

Based on the novel by Charles Martin it tells the story of brain surgeon Ben (Elba) and photojournalist Alex (Kate Winslet); two strangers who after their flights get cancelled charter a plane to Denver. 

Alarm bells first start going off when the pilot (Beau Bridges) informs the pair that he didn’t file a flight plan. (cue dramatic music)

The plane crashes, the pilot dies, Alex is injured leaving Ben to try and figure out how to keep them alive. Oh and he also has to deal with the dead pilot’s dog who really doesn’t like him.

As survivalist stories go the pair have to brave the cold, ration their food, face a scary encounter with a CGI cougar and eventually take a dangerous trek in high snow through a mountainy terrain.

Along the way the pair happen to fall in love. 

On the surface the film ticks all the right boxes: two great leads, an intriguing plot and beautiful cinematography, but despite all this it didn’t really melt my heart. 

The plot moves at a snail’s pace and while I know it is to build suspense, it doesn’t really add much value to the story-telling. 

The story starts out with some great elements but takes a turn when it goes into sappy Nicholas Sparks romance terrain. 

The characters are way too chilled in this life and death situation – I wish there was some more emotion.

Just like his character Elba does most of the heavy lifting when it comes to the acting. He gives a believable emotive performance. 

Winslet on the other hand is just okay. And their chemistry I would rate subzero. 

The Mountain Between Us is a survivalist romance that will no doubt tickle the fancy of romance lovers – for everyone else there's Idris Elba. 



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