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Mountain climbers know that, in order to survive the climb, they need to be prepared for anything. They need the right gear for any situation that they might encounter. And Infinite Storm tells the true story of a woman who had to use her gear and her training to get herself and another climber to safety.
Infinite Storm ventures up a snowy mountain with experienced climber Pam Bales (Naomi Watts), who sets out to clear her head by climbing Mt. Washington on a cold winter morning. As a winter storm builds, Pam faces one challenge after another—but she’s faced with her greatest challenge when she follows the trail of footprints to another hiker who’s alone on the mountain. This man that she calls “John” (Billy Howle) isn’t dressed appropriately for the weather, and he’s frozen and barely conscious. And Pam fights to get him down the mountain before night falls.
When Pam first reaches the mountain, it seems like the perfect day for a winter hike. The scenery is striking, and the flowing rivers and gently drifting snow make it feel beautiful and serene—the perfect escape for someone who just needs to get away from it all. But as the storm moves in, the serenity shifts into a sense of dread about the impending danger for this lone climber. At the same time, the effects may pull viewers out of the story as Pam fights her way to safety while pelted with puffs of all-to-obviously fake snow.
When Pam discovers John, the danger intensifies. But despite the raging blizzard that surrounds the two characters—and the life-threatening conditions that it brings—that sense of urgency and desperation doesn’t come through as powerfully as it should. Perhaps that’s because we know next to nothing about these characters, so the connection just isn’t there. We know that Pam is a part of the search and rescue team and that she’s on the mountain to mark a painful anniversary. But we know nothing about John—not even his real name. The two rarely speak—it’s mostly just Pam talking through the process. And after a while, despite the dangerous situation, it doesn’t feel all that exciting anymore. The true story is definitely a remarkable tale of desperation and determination—but that just doesn’t come through in the film.
So much about Infinite Storm should be powerful and emotional—but, instead, it feels anticlimactic. And, in the end, this heartbroken real-life hero just doesn’t get the harrowing tale that she deserves.
Following a March 25, 2022 theatrical release, Infinite Storm is now available on demand.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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