THE EIGHT MOUNTAINS (LE OTTO MONTAGNE)
Cert 12A
147 mins
BBFC advice: Contains infrequent strong language
When we think of the Alps, we usually associate Switzerland, Austria or even France but Italy is seldom mentioned.
However, its stretch of mountains is among the most beautiful in the world and its hamlets are some of the most remote.
And the most picturesque are featured in Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch's The Eight Mountains.
During our travels, Mrs W and I have often marvelled at scenery in such isolated spots and added a question: "What type of person would live here."
We have been city-dwellers all of our lives so love visiting remote locations but, in truth, look forard to coming home.
The opposite is true of Pietro and Bruno - the focus of this delightful picture.
Luca Marinelli plays adult Pietro, reflecting back on a friendship which has lasted more than 20 years.
Their story begins in childhood at his parents' Alpine summer home where he first encounters farm boy Bruno.
During those idyllic days in the country, he worshipped his father (Filippo Timi) but their relationship is diminished during the cold mundane days in the city during winter.
It would be fair to say that The Eight Mountains is slow going - in truth, there are only two scenes of high drama during its two and half hours.
But I was rapt because of the glorious backdrop, the depth at which it examines its key characters and the high quality of its performances, especially Marinelli and Alessandro Borghi who plays adult Bruno.
It is a movie which resonates and demands self-reflection.
Reasons to watch: Fantastic scenery
Reasons to avoid: Quite slow going
Laughs: One
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 8/10
Did you know? The Alpine hamlet of Chamois on the steep slopes of the Aosta Valley in northwest Italy is the country's only village not accessible by car. It is connected via trails and streets trodden only by feet, bicycles and the occasional tractor.
The final word. Felix van Groeningen: "I personally was very moved by the beauty, the purity of those characters and had the need at that point in my life to spend time with people who were not cynical, who were not shouting, who were just very pure. And so this idea to go and make a film in those mountains really appealed to me and was one of the reasons I ultimately said yes." Layered Butter
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