Review of Free Solo (2018) by Scraper — 01 Apr 2019

Alex Honnold is one of the least charismatic subjects I've ever seen central to a documentary. He scoffs at the notion of happiness and how it's not valuable because "happiness is available to everyone." Perhaps on the autism spectrum, he is mostly devoid of emotion and, by extension, perspective. His girlfriend tries desperately to coax any care, love or simple reaction from him. The relationship began after she saw him at a book signing so she didn't really know who he was. If he wasn't driven and successful, it would be fun to clock her exit speed out the door. Honnold actually wanted to break up with her at one point because she made a climbing mistake that led to an injury of his. This pathetic relationship, devoid of warmth from his end, totally envelopes the documentary. It's very difficult to watch as his girlfriend pretends that they could be normal one day.

The cliffs themselves serve merely as a possible solution to Alex's detachment from understanding himself and the vibrant world around him. It's obvious that the filmmakers would have much rather portrayed Alex as an insightful thrill-seeker with a philosophical, spiritual mind and playful nature. The inspiration they/we were all hoping for and expecting. They are forced to show him for what he is: a ghost whom risks his life in search of his own humanity.

That said, the feat itself, taking about ten minutes to show, was impressive. At the summit of El Capitan he is irritated that the phone call with his girlfriend is taking so long as she congratulates him.