Film review: 'The Mountain Between Us'

"The Mountain Between Us" looks better than it is. The only thing spectacular about this story of survival is the scenery. But for those who enjoy mysteries, this film has plenty. Sadly, they're untended.
 

Kate Winslet plays Alex Martin, a brash photojournalist whose flight home has been cancelled due to weather. Idris Elba as Dr. Ben Brass, finds himself in the same situation at the airport. When Alex overhears Ben on his cellphone talking about his predicament, she suggests that they share chartering a private plane. It's a mystery as to why both of them are cutting it close time wise. She's getting married and he has emergency surgery the very next day.
 

The charter pilot (Beau Bridges) seems mysteriously lax for a man of his profession. He brings his dog, doesn't file a flight plan and is not in the best of health. Shortly after takeoff he has a heart attack and crashes the aircraft into the snow-covered mountains. Alex's leg is broken, Ben's pretty banged up, the dog's just fine and the pilot is dead. Should they remain with what's left of the fuselage or trek into the vast wilderness?

Oscar nominated director Hany Abu-Assad's ("Omar" and "Paradise Now") first Hollywood film is breathtakingly shot in British Colombia. Based on the book "Mountain" by Charles Martin, the film's script is predictable and soapy. There is some witty repartee going on between Alex and Ben, but it almost seems inappropriate given their dire circumstances. Little details such as not seeing their breath when engaged in conversation in such a bitter cold doesn't go unnoticed. And why is the dog mysteriously in such great condition having no food?

But the greatest mystery of all is why actors the calibre of Kate Winslet ("The Reader" "Little Children") and Edris Elba ("Luther" "Beasts of No Nation") chose to be in this disappointing film. The do manage to create some decent chemistry between their characters, even given so little to work with. But it's not enough to propel this potentially riveting story to a memorable watch.