The Climb (2019)
(On Cable TV, May 2021) I’m not a big fan of humiliation comedy — alas, that’s a prerequisite for enjoying The Climb, the story of a friendship between two men that stretches out over many years, heartbreak and personal milestones. There are several distinct chapters, many of them overusing lengthy continuous shots. Writer-director-producer-star Michael Angelo Covino clearly has a specific intention in mind here, as he sketches key moments in the lives of his two protagonists, and if you happen to be on the same wavelength — great. Otherwise, you’re going to find that the film feels as if it lasts much longer than its 95 minutes. I found The Climb unpleasant, barely amusing, self-satisfied in its cleverness and not particularly insightful considering its constant resort to wild melodrama in lieu of plotting… but that’s just me.