There are actually two people in free solo in this movie. One is the protagonist Alex, who dreams of climbing the Emirates Peak with bare hands; the other is his girlfriend Sunny, who wants to climb his heart.
These two things are incompatible at the beginning of the story. Because the former requires "selfishly to live and die alone"-that is, I neither die for others nor live for others. It is what Alex said, "I will not try to prolong my life for you, I don't feel that I have this obligation." Seeing Sunny trying to catch him again and again, and he pushed her away again and again, I always thought it would become like "Burst Drummer" later, he said "I need 100% concentration", and then broke up with her.
But it didn't.
He broke a bone because of her fall, and proposed to break up, but was blocked by her. Then he turned his foot again, although Alex said, "I think it has something to do with Sunny. I have never been injured before. Since dating this girl who can't climb rock, I fell twice in a row." But he didn't even mention the breakup this time.
I found this movie really interesting at that time. On the bright side, it is talking about extreme athletes achieving human breakthroughs. On the dark side, it is actually a romance film.
On the one hand, Alex is preparing to climb the Emirates Rock, exploring routes over and over again, practicing moves, and self-training. On the one hand, Sunny is preparing to climb Alex, starting from teaching (forcing) him to say "I understand why you feel this way" against his will. When he encountered difficulties at Boshijiao, she also hit a nail with him.
When the first attempt at Chieftain Peak was unsuccessful, Alex was still what he described himself-not accustomed to crowds, not good at expressing feelings, and low sensitivity to danger and death.
But Sunny, like Alex, has the patience not to give up or fear difficulties after locking the target. From a certain point of view, she is also a great mountaineer.
When Alex reappeared the next year, he no longer longed for a home car and bought a house (mainly for Sunny), and even thought of making coffee for his girlfriend. He himself said that he has become more cheerful. Before this time, he did not hide Sunny from him. No longer mind the presence of photographers (even greet the photographer happily during the climb). Most importantly, after he reached the summit, he called Sunny and said "I love you" very naturally.
Not only did he climb the Chieftain Peak, but he also became a more ordinary and happier person. Her presence not only didn't distract him, but instead untied him and made climbing more relaxed. This is almost like a fairy tale.
There is also a half-hidden couple in this film-two directors. Their family appeared during the Halloween episode when Alex complained. Jimmy Chin is also a mountaineer himself, and the work of shooting material is not small. In this way, this movie is a love letter at all.
I especially like this. If the film about extreme sports pursues "loneliness," like a religious martyrdom, it makes me feel uncomfortable.
In the past, I would go to deep mountains and dangerous valleys to do things that others seemed to be very dangerous and completely unnecessary. My mother found out, and when she called, she scolded "I have nothing to do when I'm full." Whenever this time, life and death become important. I know that I am alive and that human beings are cute.
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