A scene from ‘The Mountain’

TIFF ’24 Review: ‘The Mountain’ demonstrates it’s about the journey, not the destination

‘The Mountain’ follows three kids’ pilgrimage to a mountain as they each hope to find something at its peak.

Being around nature can be both humbling and enlightening. Recognizing its vastness and resilience, while also appreciating its connection to all living things can really put things into perspective. Nature can be life-affirming or menacing, miniscule or colossal, quiet or deafening. Its range is immeasurable, as is its influence on everything. It still consists of wonders no one can explain, and we continue to discover new things even after centuries of study and exploration. In The Mountain, a young cancer patient wants to try to harness the healing powers of a mountain with a dangerous journey to its peak.

Sam (Elizabeth Atkinson) has spent a lot of time in the hospital, which has given her ample time to figure out the best route of escape. With the help of a friend (Sukena Shah) who offers to cover for her absence, Sam sets off to climb to the top of Mt. Taranaki in hopes it will cure her cancer. Along the way, she meets Mallory (Reuben Francis), who is also journeying alone to visit the mountain and reconnect with his mom who recently died. They’re joined by Bronco (Terence Daniel), a proud Māori boy who exudes confidence, but is also very sensitive and protective of the Earth.

This is somewhat of a fool’s errand as Sam sets out on the long trek without any supplies, making her chance meeting with Mallory a stroke of luck. The pair have a bit of a rough start as Sam has spent so much time confronting death, she’s somewhat flippant about it, while Mallory is still very much suffering the loss of his mother. Thus, Bronco provides some much-needed positive energy for both of them. The trio develop a quick bond as they decide to make the long hike together, though the trip is not without its disagreements.

In the meantime, their three single parents begin searching for them as soon as they realize they’re missing. They all know they’re trying to go to the mountain for one reason or another, and eventually form their own trinity to find their children, who are determined to evade capture until they’ve achieved their goal. Māori traditions are sprinkled throughout the narrative, from Sam’s connection to Taranaki to Bronco’s frequent use of the language to a beautiful origin story that tells of the love between two peaks. Their adventure doesn’t bring any life-altering revelations, but does allow them to find friendship at a time in their lives when they’re all feeling very much alone.

The Mountain had its North American premiere in the Centrepiece programme at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Read other reviews from the festival.

Director: Rachel House
Starring: Elizabeth Atkinson, Terrence Daniel and Reuben Francis

Similar Posts

  • ‘Annabelle: Creation’ trailer suggests real source of evil doll (Includes first-hand account)

    When rising horror master James Wan introduced audiences to Annabelle in 2013’s The Conjuring, it instantly rose to the ranks of Good Guy (a.k.a. Chucky) and the Poltergeist clown on the list of all-time creepy movie dolls. This film was immediately followed by a standalone prequel — the second film set in the universe of Ed and Lorraine Warren — which began with the same tale related about the doll in the first picture and an origin story involving Satanists. And now we have Annabelle: Creation, the fourth set in the universe and a prequel to the prequel.

  • Review: ‘The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part’ gets literal for the win (Includes first-hand account)

    Playing is fun and that never changes. But when you’re a kid enjoying your toys, at some point you become aware that you’re doing all the work… which leads to the question, what if they were alive? This idea resulted in countless movies and TV shows featuring children’s toys in their native lands or even their playroom at night when it’s safe to be themselves. The more cynical point of view deems these extensions as little more than a marketing ploy, which isn’t entirely wrong, but they’re also generally pretty entertaining. In The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, actions in the real world threaten the existence of Bricksburg.

  • Review: ‘Luce’ defies expectations, but what’s going on behind that smile (Includes first-hand account)

    Everyone likes an underdog story. Seeing people/teams/animals succeed against all odds appeals to audiences because it makes them feel good by proxy. However, not a lot of thought is often given to the pressure these expectations can place on the one carrying everyone’s hopes on their shoulders. Of course they want to be successful for themselves, but there’s the added burden of potentially disappointing all their supporters if they don’t finish on top. Sure they say your best is good enough, but there’s always that little voice in the back of your mind that whispers it’s not true. In Luce, a young man faces all of these issues with mixed results.