9Fest Brian Bennett reviews THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US (2017)
Numbers UP – 99 – Excellent , 96 – Very Good , 69 – Good, 66 – Mediocre
Review: 66 – MEDIOCRE
Cast
Idris Elba as Dr. Ben Bass
Kate Winslet as Alex Martin
Tintswalo Khumbuza as Sarah
Adam Lolacher as Joel
Beau Bridges as Walter
Director
Hany Abu-Assad
Writer (novel)
Charles Martin
Writer
Mills Goodloe
Chris Weitz
Powerhouse cast of Idris Elba and Kate Winslet, plus the pre-opening PR campaign, stoking everyone’s interest to see a plane crash, where the stranded fall in love and have interracial sex. Of course, I fell for the PR blitz too. Kate Winslet falling in love in The Titanic and I want to see her fall in love with a black man.
While the PR is broadcast well, the film itself, brings us crashing down. The main flashpoints in this film are the plane crash and the sex . Neither is pulled off well. The pilot has a sudden stroke. Then with no buildup or plausible feelings, Dr. Ben (Idris) and Alex (Kate) kiss and make love.
The pilot’s dog was more interesting to follow than Dr Ben and Kate.
