The Alpinist
The Alpinist

- PG-13
- 1h 31m
- 2021
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As the sport of climbing turns from a niche pursuit to mainstream media event, Marc-André Leclerc climbs alone, far from the limelight. On remote alpine faces, the free-spirited 23-year-old makes some of the boldest solo ascents in history. Yet, he draws scant attention. With no cameras, no rope, and no margin for error, Marc-André's approach is the essence of solo adventure. Intrigued by these quiet accomplishments, veteran filmmaker Peter Mortimer (The Dawn Wall) sets out to make a film about Marc-André. But the Canadian soloist is an elusive subject: nomadic and publicity shy, he doesn't own a phone or car, and is reluctant to let the film crew in on his pure vision of climbing. As Peter struggles to keep up, Marc-André's climbs grow bigger and more daring. Elite climbers are amazed by his accomplishments, while others worry that he is risking too much. Then, Marc-André embarks on a historic adventure in Patagonia that will redefine what is possible in solo climbing. The Alpinist is an intimate documentary of a visionary climber who follows the path of his own passion, despite the heaviest of possible consequences.
© 2021 MMXX Red Bull Media House. All Rights Reserved.
Rotten Tomatoes® Score
TOMATOMETER®
Critics Consensus: The Alpinist surmounts its subject's indifference to deliver a fascinating and thrillingly filmed investigation into a life spent defying danger.
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Common Sense Media
Common Sense Says
Docu on elusive climber has some drug use, language.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that The Alpinist is a 2021 documentary about an enigmatic free solo mountain climber who takes on daring climbs while avoiding public acclaim. There's some marijuana smoking -- a joint is passed around, and the interviewer partakes. Marc-André Leclerc, the subject of the documentary, talks about his LSD intake as a teenager before devoting his life fully to free solo mountain climbing. Cigarette smoking. Beer drinking. Occasional profanity, including "f--k." One of the interview subjects is shown wearing a Red Bull ballcap, and the movie is produced by Red Bull Media House. Leclerc, a free-spirited young man who was diagnosed with ADHD as a child, finds through free solo mountain climbing both a purpose and an outlet for his energy and unique spirit, and his mother talks of how she encouraged Marc-André to pursue his passions, even if what he loved was outside societal norms and expectations. Talk and archival news footage of legendary free solo mountain climbers who fell to their deaths. Near the end of the documentary, it's revealed that Marc-Andre perishes when an avalanche buries him and a fellow climber while they were descending from a mountain in Alaska -- some emotional scenes in which loved ones mourn that he went missing and was presumed deceased.
A Lot or A Little?
The parents’ guide to what’s in this movie.
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Additional Info
- Genre:Documentary
- Release Date:September 7, 2021
- Languages:English, Spanish
- Captions:English, Spanish
- Audio Format:5.1
- Screen Pass Eligible:No
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