Infinite Storm (2022)

Infinite Storm (2022) Pam Bales, a mother, nurse and mountain guide, is trekking alone up Mount Washington when she gets caught in a blizzard. Soon she has to rescue a mysterious man who is in a basket in the middle of a snowy mountain…

A very fine film, full of values, starring the fabulous and impressive Naomi Watts, who is, once again, perfect while still looking good in her fifties. In fact, here she is the same age as her heroine (53). She is one of those unretouched actresses who fears nothing. She also produced this film, with the help of others. Based on a true story, we see how two people can change each other’s lives. Having said that, the story is romanticised compared to the real one and there isn’t really a finale. Sometimes all it takes is a look, a smile or a bit of attention to make your day. Here, it’s a very big rescue that changes a whole perception of life.

Admittedly, this film may be reminiscent of Wild (2014) with Reese Witherspoon. Here, however, there are no big criminals like in the very good Cliffhanger (1993). No mega special effects or ultra spectacular moments like in Survive (2022), which I also liked. OK, there are plenty of CGI flakes and fake wind and storm effects, but the images are beautiful. The male lead, Billy Howle, also gives a fine performance.

Małgorzata Szumowska is a Polish director, screenwriter and producer, a graduate of the Leon Schiller National Film, Television and Theatre School in Łódź. A recurring theme in her films is the need for love expressed by her characters, and at the same time the confrontation with illness and the death of loved ones. She hasn’t only done good things, given that she produced Lars von Trier’s very bad film Antichrist (2009).

But she knows how to vary her work and has made a Franco-Polish-German film starring Juliette Binoche entitled Sponsorship (Elles, 2011). Infinite Storm is a film to be seen once. Those who don’t like survivalism will be bored stiff, but they need only go and see something else. It’s a touching film, not necessarily one to watch again or own, but one to watch with your heart. It’s not bad, just a bit slow. Very slow, in fact! No mega storms or avalanches. It’s sorely lacking in pace and adventure. You get bored at times and nothing much happens in the end, even though what happens is clearly horrible and I personally couldn’t have survived all those events. The small consolation is that it’s inspired by a true story and the rest is of little interest.

If you’re one of those people who wanted to see a good action-packed thriller, this is not the film for you. This is a huge realistic drama.