The Climb is a recent film, but it is nearly completely obscure. At imdb.com, there are no newsgroup reviews and only two user comments. It did appear at several film festivals, pocketing some minor awards. But the film's producers were unable to finance a wide distribution. It didn't die in the theaters, because it never made it there to begin with.

As is often the case with obscure films, those who have taken the time to see it have underrated it. This is partly the fault of the movie itself, as its ending wraps everything up too neatly and predictably. While frustrating, this takes nothing away from the rest of the film, which is an enjoyable character study in a nostalgic setting.

Although The Climb is a French production filmed in New Zealand, it is set in Baltimore of 1959 and has a predominantly American cast. Danny Himes (Gregory Smith) is an energetic preteenager whose best friend is pudgy, bespectacled Wayne (Matthew Ness). Danny's dream is to climb The Tower, a rusting monolith that is scheduled for demolition. His motivation is to prove his courage, a family trait considered lacking because his widowed father Earl (David Straithairn) did not serve during World War II.

Earl has lesser subplots of his own, including romancing the hottie next door (Tina Regtien), and facing up to the town psycho-bully (Stephen McHattie). But while Straithairn is both likable and understated, he is no match for John Hurt. First-billed Hurt steals all the scenes he is in, playing a hard-drinking, chain smoking construction worker and adventurer who has terminal lung cancer.

Hurt recently played a dapper homosexual writer in Love and Death on Long Island (1997). Hurt is also well known for his role as The Elephant Man (1980). His impressive flexibility as an actor makes him completely convincing as raspy-voiced Chuck Langer, whose wild and hard life is finally paying its dues. Chuck and Danny develop a bond, with Chuck giving his fading life some purpose by helping Danny to climb The Tower.

The story is very well crafted. It isn't well explained why Chuck would return to Baltimore to be nursed by his long abandoned daughter Ruth (Sarah Buxton), although he may have had no where else to go, and her religious beliefs would prevent her turning him away. Otherwise, it is clear why Danny needs to climb The Tower, why Chuck would help him, and how the two would become friends. The bit with the 'suicide' gun leads to the film's most hilarious scene, which unfortunately can't be described without spoiling it. Needless to say, the Catholic religion is ridiculed on several occasions.

It's a shame that The Climb hasn't been seen by more people. Now that it is showing on cable, it has another chance to find an audience. By the way, you can find American television showings of this, and other highly rated films, at my website filmsgraded.com. (68/100)


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older