Fine Lines

A fantastic film any climbing enthusiast will enjoy. It is not your typical climbing documentary where you follow a climber on their adventure overcoming some impossibly hard route. Instead, this is 20 of the most recognizable faces from all disciplines of the sport (Alex Honnold, Adam Ondra, Lynn Hill, etc) each having a very open conversation about some of the most difficult aspects of climbing. Topics range from their draws to climbing, the inherent risk in the sport, a very real look at death, the drawbacks of social media on professionals lives, and far more.

Many may be turned off by a climbing documentary without a specific mountain to be overcome, but it is a fantastic glimpse into how these amazing athletes view some incredibly difficult questions often not considered. I would highly recommend this movie to anyone interested in climbing in any way.

Even though it centers around mountain athletes, I wouldn't say this is a sports film. It's way more about the human condition. It's a peek inside the minds of people who intentionally put themselves in extreme environments to test their minds, bodies, and mettle. Their insights can be related to just about every aspect of life of any average person. There is some serious sage wisdom from people who have experienced what most of humanity has actively avoided and minimized for millennia. For as yell-tastic as Ondra is while climbing, he offers calm and carefully measured thoughts. Lynn Hill and Tommy bring in questions of the trappings of our modern, tech-filled life into things we used to see as sacred. Messner sees everything in piercing reality that few can. All of them offer something that adds a perspective and insight that are unique - it's amazing to have them all in one film.

I can honestly say this film changed my life. That's a big statement, I know. But it is true and I am grateful to have experienced it.

I realize that a lot of people may not "get it." It's probably important to know that this is more of a thought-provoking, inward-looking film, rather than any kind of thriller. I heard someone say this film reads more like a book, and couldn't agree more. It moves you through a series of perspectives and gives you time to digest and take in the thoughts you have. It drives you into a place where you begin to really look at what matters. It gives you a contrast control dial for your own life, allowing you to push a lot of greys into black and white situations. And yet I still find room for nuance and even more questions.

I cannot recommend this film enough, to anyone who spends time thinking and soul searching, anyone who enjoys reading, and anyone seeking more from life than what is offered by the masses.

The movie itself is a compilation of interviews of well known rock climbers, mountaineers, ice climbers and paraclimbers. A big chunk of the footage is reused from previous reel rock scenes and the movie tries to assign what risk is in climbing and in the life of the athletes. It falls short on focusing on... something, the storyline follows too many perspectives and you loose focus on the movie itself. Of course the trailer and the poster is misleading, making you think of great movies such as "king lines" with Chris Sharma.... but "fine lines"is anything but that. The soundtrack is too "dreamy", there is very little action, and the action showed is presented in short unintelligible sequences...followed by some static scenes, losing its flow of action. All in all it is not a typical climbing movie, it is more of a mash up that tries to give climbing this aura of a demigod activity for "very whole" people. I, personally think that this movie is for a certain type of climber or for some people that start climbing and they are charmed by the "holiness" of it.

Experiencing life as it is meant. Living on the edge and not settling for complacency. Despite all challenges that may come across and take you off your feet, you have THE POWER OF CHOICE to do something beautiful with your life. Absolutely loved this.

This film is amazing and powerful! It wasn't what I was expecting when I decided to watch it.( I purchased the full version from Amazon Prime.) I have been climbing a very different metaphorical mountain. I have been battling multiple chronic illnesses that have gotten worse over time. I spend most days in bed, and when I do leave my house it's often in a wheelchair. What I hoped to get from the film was stunning scenery that I will never be able to personally witness, and powerful stories of people that I could never hope to be like. What I found was so much deeper and more meaningful. It actually reminded me that strength doesn't always look like you expect it to. I am physically weak, in some ways, ; I can take a lot of pain and have to know when to push and when to listen to my body to slow down , just like a climber might have to decide that they've given that climb their all, and they will have to start again. The mental struggle is the hardest. It can be very lonely. When I think about how many times I thought I was reaching the top of my own mountain, only to have set backs I now remember I am not weak. I am a fighter. When I am having a hard day I rewatch some or all of the movie. I feel a connection to these people that I can't explain. I hope that especially during these difficult times everyone can see a bit of their own strength and resilience. Either determination and willpower that they forgot that they had or that they newly discovered.