The Alpinist is the thrilling and gut-wrenching story of Marc-André Leclerc, someone who sacrificed everything for free solo climbing, the thing he loved most, and in the end, he paid the ultimate price.
The Alpinist, like Free Solo before it, is a documentary about an individual’s love for rock climbing, and the lengths in which he takes to pursue his goals and dreams. Like Alex Honnold, the subject and star of Free Solo, the Oscar-Winning Best Documentary of 2019, Marc-André Leclerc is someone who is single-minded in his pursuits. For anyone who has watched Free Solo, The Alpinist is a terrific companion piece, with Honnold himself even featured in The Alpinist.
On the outside, the two films are more or less about the same thing, the love of free solo rock climbing. For those unaware of what free soloing is, it is where individuals climb rock faces without the use of ropes or harnesses. With free soloing, one relies solely on their own strength, skill, and preparation, as there is nothing between them and falling to their death. Where the films differ is with Leclerc not only climbing rock but also using his skills to traverse the more dangerous ice and snow, hence the film’s title, as alpinism involves climbing in all seasons.
What is striking about the film is Leclerc’s prolificacy, accomplishing so many tremendous feats at such a young age. When most use their early twenties to figure out what they want to do with their lives, Leclerc was free soloing rock faces that no one had ever done before. Though Leclerc himself agreed to be the subject of the documentary, one of the most interesting and engaging parts of the film is Leclerc’s disinterest in being filmed, or receiving any recognition for his accomplishments.
There is something to be said for someone who is the best at something but does not care if anyone really knows it. As the documentary points out Marc-André Leclerc is uncomfortable with the spotlight, someone who would rather be alone in the mountains than standing in front of a group of people.
The Alpinist is a film of chasing and tracking down its subject, similar to that of a nature documentary. Leclerc himself is elusive and constantly on the move, paying little attention to what others expect of him. Marc-André Leclerc lives a life that many of us would not like to live, not having one singular place to call home, constantly moving towards the next goal and destination.
This is one of Leclerc’s biggest draws, for those of us who overthink and overanalyze our lives, Leclerc’s lifestyle seems odd and at times irresponsible, but there is a freeness to Leclerc’s nomadism that is captivating. Throughout the documentary Marc-André Leclerc is beholden to no one, he is free to do the one thing he wants to do, no matter the cost.
Marc-André Leclerc is a person to admire, his determination and motivation are captivating to watch, but at the same time, they are immensely troubling. The documentary is riveting, it’s hard not to be fully engaged when at any moment the person you are watching is one slip away from certain doom. Leclerc is masterful in his movements, it is truly a work of art to watch him move seamlessly from precarious ledge to precarious ledge; it is like watching a master in their craft. That being said, following Leclerc’s journey is akin to watching an addict spiral, someone looking for another fix, trying to one-up their last experience.
In the film Leclerc mentions a past with drugs and not knowing his own limitations, which is reflected in his enthusiasm toward alpinism and free soloing. For someone who is fascinated by something as dangerous as climbing a rock face without ropes or harnesses, there is very little else to boost your adrenaline, so it comes as no surprise that Leclerc never quells the desire to do more and go further.
Now, I am not faulting him for his choices, as he, like many who pursue extreme sports, accept and even embraces the risks involved, but rather I am simply suggesting that Leclerc was so determined that he pushed a little too hard. Before the film shifts to the final days of Marc-André Leclerc, it is interesting to see those interviewed in the film suggest the same things.
The Alpinist gives us something more than Free Solo, it is thrilling to watch as people risk their lives to do these incredible feats, it keeps us on the edge of our seats. With The Alpinist we see the aftermath of disaster, it is raw and emotional in a way Free Solo could not be.
The documentary does a fantastic job of highlighting the life and death of Marc-André Leclerc. His untimely death seems both tragic and fitting, preventable and unstoppable, all at once. It is climbing in the ice and snow, which ultimately takes Leclerc’s life. Leclerc’s story is one of love, loss, and risking everything to live life to the fullest.
Want to discuss things further? Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. And for more film, gaming, anime, and TV news, trailers, and updates make sure to keep it locked right here at The Nerdy Basement. While you’re here, please consider supporting us on Patreon! It’s an easy way of supporting us so we can keep providing you with your Nerdy News!