The 3000 feet vertical rock formation in Yosemite National park is called the Dawn Wall because the first rays of the sun light it up. In 2015 Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson free-climbed the Dawn Wall for the first time setting up their names in the record books. Directors  Josh Lowell and Peter Mortimer brings up the story of that remarkable climb through this documentary that is a heart pounding climbing drama on one hand and a tale about human grit and resolve on the other. What elevates this film much above the other climbing documentaries is the way it showcases the zeal of the human spirit that walks the tightrope between devotion and obsession.

The directors take us through the life of Tommy Caldwell from his childhood as we learn about his skill for climbing rock faces from an early age, guided by his father, who was a climber himself. The directors focus on the climbing expedition in Kyrgyzstan in 2000 which Tommy and three other climbers, including his would-be wife Beth Rodden, went for. The expedition went wrong as they were taken hostage by rebels who were in run from the army. Rescued after a harrowing experience, Tommy pursued climbing with great success but received another jolt when he severed his left index finger while using a table saw. Displaying amazing grit, he overcame what is considered a debilitating injury for a climber to continue scaling some of the toughest rock faces.

It was the divorce with his wife Beth that propelled Tommy to focus on the Dawn wall. To overcome the dark despair of loss, he centered his entire attention on the rock face, surveying it for a possible route throughout a year. Being one of the most challenging rock faces in the world, Tommy knew that he needed a partner and after receiving a message from Kevin, who he had never met before, the two teamed up. Kevin was a one of the best in the field of bouldering but climbing vertical rock faces was not his domain. After surveying the route for years the duo attempted the climb in 2015. The attempt became a media sensation within a few days, with the world media focusing their attention on the efforts of the two.

The film highlights the challenges faced by the two during the climb that continued for 19 days all through which, the two lived on the wall by setting up a portaledge. The directors take us through this breath taking journey as the camera focuses on the desperate efforts over the vertiginous rock face, the bloodied fingers and the steely determination. The climbing narrative is mingled with flashbacks from the past that take us through Tommy’s personal journey. But the real ordeal for the climbers start when Kevin gets stuck on pitch 15, with the rock face denying him any further advancement. Tommy climbs ahead like a man possessed, but soon he has to make a choice about sticking with Kevin or moving ahead alone.

The film touches the zenith at this stage as the narrative touches some vital strings of human life, where one has to accept one’s limits or soar free from them. It also makes a statement about the significance of achievements in life and balancing that with the values companionship. It is then the non-climber viewers are able to draw parallels with the climbers, and relate the climb with situations that they face while climbing the walls of life. At this moment, The Dawn Wall becomes a story of everyone’s life and the challenges, pains and frustrations that we all have to face. This is what makes the viewers cheer for the success of Tommy and Kevin as they advance across the wall or at times fail to do so.

The cinematography in the film specifically deserves a mention as the camera delivers some amazing moments of rock climbing. The viewers are made to feel the toll on the fingers as well as the minds of the climbers as they set to achieve a target that is seemingly impossible. The narrative is often helmed by John Long, who is a legendary climber himself and he explains the technical challenges of the climb in detail. As viewers we know that the expedition ended in a success but still, it is the fascinating details about the human drama that keeps us glued to the action.

While The Dawn Wall does not make any statement about spirituality, in many ways it is a film that envelops the essence of the same. Devotion and focus are tools that makes seemingly impossible feats possible, allowing us to explore the true potential of being human. This is a film that not only thrills and moves the audience but helps them to realise that being human is truly super.

By Suvajit Banerjee

© 2018 teleratz.com