Writer and director Richard Webb’s new film A Mountain Between Us takes place in the dramatic landscape of Denver. City gal Ashley takes a climbing course and falls hard for rugged “Mr Mountain Man” Michael. After going on several dates, the pair take it to the next level and move in together. Unfortunately, Ahsley’s family are not so open minded when it comes to anyone outside of their social echelon.
Her sister and mother have a lot to say about her dating a man they deem to have no prospects. There is a particularly awkward interaction between Michael, Ashley, and her older sister Laura when they invite her round for dinner. Laura is rude, cold and calculated, making Michael feel incredibly uncomfortable.
At the next dinner party, they decide to host Michael’s brother, with whom he has a strong relationship, as well as Ashley’s mother and sister. They’re impressed by how Michael is helping his brother with a large scale property investment, finally seeing him as more than the mountain goat they’d previously pegged him for. Consequently the dinner goes a lot better than the previous one. Ashley’s mother and sister back down just in time for Michael to ask for her hand in marriage.
Although city-girl meets rural-boy is a well-worn path in romance films (especially Hallmark Christmas films), I don’t have an issue with the use of stock narrative here. While it would be more exciting and inventive to create something entirely new, a twist on a classic is always welcomed. Unfortunately, A Mountain Between Us neither nails the classic head on, nor attempts a variation on the theme. The fundamentals that make this type of narrative work rely on a tension between worlds. This is then complicated by the emotional depth of the characters, loyalties, betrayals, love and loss. A Mountain Between Us is extremely surface level in its emotional storytelling which makes it almost impossible to engage with. What the characters are telling us they feel doesn’t translate to what the audience sees and feels. There isn’t enough “show”, as in the adage, “show don’t tell”. The characters themselves don’t particularly live up to their descriptions of each other, majorly lacking chemistry on screen. Michael says Laura is like no one he’s ever met, that she’s so different and they engage on a deeper level. And yet there’s nothing in her character to suggest this to the viewer – no defining qualities, quirks or idiosyncrasies.
Beyond the narrative, the filmmaking techniques are similarly disjointed. Editing is a particularly weak area with frequent jumpy, awkward cuts. This is combined with cinematography that feels strange and lacks creativity. Alongside the slightly stilted performances from Alex Graff and Lexi Berger, this gives the film the effect of a school play where lines are delivered without much meaning. The writing and direction both require an injection of soul, heart and substance. Something more meaty for viewers to get into.
A Mountain Between Us is available to watch on Prime here