Free Solo

I will never be a rock climber, let alone a free soloist.

I knew that before I saw National Geographic's "Free Solo." That feeling was permanently ensured upon watching the film.

Alex Honnold has made a career out of climbing impossible wall faces without the help of of any safety equipment such as ropes or harnesses. One of the most well-known of these surfaces is El Capitan, in Yosemite National Park. Roughly 3,000 feet high, El Capitan is a popular destination for rock climbers and, until 2017, had never been scaled via a free solo climb. Honnold spent years preparing for the climb, and "Free Solo" documents his time doing so, including his actual attempt.

The video is harrowing. There have been only a handful of movies that have kept me on edge from start to finish. While the film mostly follows his preparation leading up to his attempt, several other plot points are equally intriguing.

Honnold has a girlfriend (Sanni McCandless) throughout the entire process, and I wondered why during every scene she was in. Honnold had gone most of his career without suffering any major injuries, but under her supervision he falls twice and incurs significant injuries that sideline him. Beyond that, the inherent danger of free soloing would put a significant other through an emotional roller coaster that hardly seems worth it. This conflict is evident, confusing, and uncomfortable throughout.

Another major issue in the filming process was the planning of the actual filming of Honnold's climb. The precision the climb requires, plus the concentration and focus needed to avoid making the tiniest mistake that would result in sure death, made the involvement of a camera crew a tedious challenge. Figuring out a way to properly film it, while also staying completely out of the way, was additionally nerve-wracking to watch.

Lastly, the film was interspersed with conversations and film of other climbers who had various levels of success doing what Honnold does. Recounting the deaths of some of these men made Honnold's own demise seem imminent.

I was nervous and my hands were sweating through every moment. Even with the knowledge that he survives (the event was a well-known accomplishment when it happened), you couldn't help but expect that the worst would happen before your very eyes.

El Capitan is a star in its own right in the film. The granite wall is majestic and the views associated with it created a magnificent setting for the challenge.

As documentaries go, "Free Solo" definitely earned its Oscar nomination for "Best Documentary Feature."

Rating: 9/10