The Climb is a dramedy that follows two best bros over the course of a number of years. Written and starring real life besties Michael Covino and Kyle Marvin who play, presumably, versions of themselves Mike and Kyle respectively. Also directed by Covino. The movie is broken down into seven chapters as Mike and Kyle's friendship is strained by their own obtuseness, immaturity, and lack of perspective but tediously preservers.
Both Covino and Marvin seem to have little to no acting experience and approach their roles with the same low energy flat glibness which make them and by extension the entire movie quite a slog. The characters as written and performed have little to no personality, little to no self-knowledge, little to no awareness of basic humanity. As such they are drastically uncompelling. As they and their connection is the focus of the story it doesn't seem to have much of a point other than a character study and as the examination of self-involved, entitled, out of touch, middle aged white men is a road thoroughly travelled in indies in the 90's and 00's makes it all the more baffling. The "comedy" is largely an abject failure, in almost every instance the humor careens past cringe to utter cruelty and self absorption. The supporting cast is mostly solid by comparison and Gayle Rankin as Marissa is wonderful in the thankless role as Kyle's second fiancé who his family and Mike "don't like" but there is seemingly no reason why.
In stark contrast to the leads performance and the script the cinematography is positively artistic, languid long tracking shots, magical realism dance and music numbers, an effective score. The ability of Covino as a craftsman isn't in question. But how well the movie is put together is made beyond irrelevant by it's painfully irritating, selfish, vague, nothings of it's leads.
A story about friendship that not only misses the mark on friends but basic humanity.
Currently available to rent on most VOD platforms.
Don't See It.
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