The Mountain

The Mountain is a 2018 American drama film that offers a deeply textured, contemplative and visually striking exploration of the boundaries of sanity, society's fixation with 'normality', and the dichotomy between perceived reality and delusional idealisms. The movie is directed by Rick Alverson and co-written by Alverson, Dustin Guy Defa, and Colm O'Leary. Tye Sheridan, Jeff Goldblum, Hannah Gross, Udo Kier, and Denis Lavant make up the film's principal cast, with each contributing a nuanced performance that collectively bring the film's eerie, unfamiliar drabness alive.

Set against the backdrop of 1950s America, The Mountain unravels in an era fondly remembered for its post-war economic boom and the burgeoning ideal of 'the American dream.' Yet beneath this rosy veneer, this time period was also marked by parallel narratives of societal repression and covert oppression. The film scrutinically taps into these undercurrents, focusing upon the rather taboo and controversial topic of lobotomy, a procedure that was widely used during this time as a treatment for various mental disorders.

Tye Sheridan, known for his performances in Mud and Ready Player One, stars as the young, introverted Andy, a Zamboni operator, who is marked by a lingering sadness stemmed from his familial circumstances. His mother has been institutionalized for an unnamed mental illness and his emotionally detached father, Dr. Wallace Fiennes, played by Jeff Goldblum, is a noted lobotomist who becomes a symbol of somewhat reprehensible acceptance and egotism.

After the death of his father, Andy embarks on a journey as a photographer for Dr. Fiennes who is on a cross-country tour demonstrating his lobotomy procedure to American mental institutions. This journey not only opens up a dark corner of American medical history but also sheds light on the indignities faced by mental health patients. The disconcerting nature of this narrative is further obscured by Fiennes' charm and charisma, with Goldblum masterfully playing up his character's obdurate denial of the moral ambiguities of his profession.

Supporting performances by Udo Kier as Frederick, a mental institution patient who rebelliously contends with the system, and Hannah Gross as Susan, the daughter of a French healer and potential love interest of Andy, add layers of complexity to an already surreal narrative. Denis Lavant appears as Jack, Susan's father, a self-exiled healer who forms an important segment of the story and stands in stark contrast to Dr. Fiennes' world.

The Mountain is a slow burn, absorbing the audience in its monotony, its quietness, and its palpable unease. Connected by repeating motifs of muffled whispers, sterilized white rooms, and long, empty highways, the film is less about plot progression and more about creating an atmospheric tapestry that aims to captively engage and disquiet the viewer. Emphasizing on Alverson's stylistic preference for muted colors and stark compositions, cinematographer Lorenzo Hagerman effectively captures the bleak and clinical reality of mental asylums and lobotomy procedures.

The movie is essentially a contemplative odyssey saturated with themes of loss, despair, and societal apathy. It is an introspective examination of the methodologies employed in mental health treatment, presenting a disconcerting picture of the historical ignorance and brutality that once characterized the field. Balancing a fine line between realism and surrealism, The Mountain creates an odd, dreamlike landscape that mirrors the fractures in its characters' minds.

The narrative pace may be slow, encouraging audiences to immerse themselves in the film's disquieting ambiance. Yet for those willing to embrace The Mountain's peculiar rhythm, there lies a profound and moving exploration of societal norms, mental health, and the inherent human need for connection and acceptance. It's an experience fueled by brilliant acting, aesthetic cinematography, and piercing thematic gravity.

In conclusion, The Mountain is a meditative and subtly disturbing film that navigates the complexities of the human psyche against a historical backdrop. With its compelling character arcs and haunting visual routes, it urges audiences to reflect on their understanding and treatment of mental health while challenging the conventional norms of storytelling. The movie may not be traditional cinema, but it's a deeply thought-provoking work of art that resonates intensely, long after the credits roll. Therefore, it's not a film to be missed by those who prefer intense and evocative cinematic experiences.