Torn

This is more a movie about love than one about alpinism (for that, you'd want to watch Meru, also features Conrad Anker). As far as a love story goes, this one is quite original. It is emotionally complex, yet delicate, so much so that no Hollywood scrptwriter has dared tackle this topic yet, at least not from this angle. This movie is a bit rough on the edges (for instance, it can try to delve deeper in Conrad's psyche) but nonetheless, quite enjoyable to watch.

I remember Alex Lowe well from my subscription to Outside Magazine in the 90s. I used to go to Bozeman to see friends, and skied the slopes of Bridger Bowl several times. This film really brought home the person as well as the mythical scale his legend became. His family had to move through stages of grief more than once. I felt like this was a moving, heartfelt tribute, and a wonderful personal glimpse into this enduring family. Conrad is an honorable and good man for the things he has done and I can't help but think highly of him now, as he became legendary in his own right. In the end this was a film very moving and I was in tears for the last ten or fifteen minutes. Deeply personal, deeply touching, and deeply beautiful.

As a widow, my heart went out to this beautiful family trying to come to grips with the sudden loss of their husband/father. And the struggle of Conrad Anker as the soul survivor and beat friend of Alex Lowe. Beautifully filmed - heartbreaking footage and yet, a positive and hopeful continuation of family.

I am very invested in the rock climbing scene and knew the Anker/Lowe story from articles, and documentaries of the past so I was very interested to see what the story looked like from the sons of Alex. I loved the heart and authenticity of it. For that, I give it 8 stars From a technical and story structure aspect, I found it lacking. I greatly respect Max for tackling what is a very deep and personal documentary, but he certainly isn't the most experienced documentarian. Some of the editing was choppy and some of the visuals were used a couple too many times to maintain an air of freshness. The song during the credits is also used during the credits of the Alpinist, just kind of a funny coincidence.

I don't want to be harsh in the film by any means. I truly enjoyed it. I give it an 8 for the genuine respect I have for the Lowes and Ankers and the authenticity that was brought to such a hard topic. It fell short of a 10 for me only for film making reasons.

Mountain climbing isn't the real subject matter here. This is a truly touching, genuine story of friendship, love, tragedy, heartbreak, and recovery. Torn by loss, a new family is bonded together with tenderness, love and care. The fragility and trials of life. Of healing, resilience, and positivity. Tears are inevitable for this one!