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TO THE LIMIT
Written & Directed by Pepe Danquart
Produced by: Kristen Hager, Erich Lackner & Mirjam Quinte
Director of Photography, Wolfgang Thaler
Edited by Mona Bräuer
Music by Dorian Cheah & Christoph Israel
Editing by: Mona Brauer
Released by First Run Features
German with English subtitles
Germany. 95 min. Not Rated

In To the Limit, the German speed climbing Huber Brothers take on the Nose, also known as El Capitan, an incredibly difficult, 3,000-foot rock face in Yosemite National Park, hoping to break the record on one of the world’s most challenging facades. Their first attempt at the record is halted by an over 60-foot fall during the training, rendering one brother unable to climb. During the following year, they take on Patagonia and return to the Nose for another shot at the record.

The documentary never really gains any traction throughout its 95-minute running time. When the brothers are actually speed climbing, it’s an amazing display of athletic ability. But there is little that draws the audience into the story. At the heart of the film lies the brother’s determination and their somewhat tumultuous relationship – though no more troubled than you would expect between any two competitive brothers. Their conflicts never really reach any discernable climax and fail to engage the audience’s sense of adventure or empathy. Instead, this cold character study spends too much time belaboring the fact that the brothers don’t live in perfect harmony with each other.

Despite the fact that the film’s main visual motifs are the brothers’ talking-head interviews, the film is visually striking. Lush cinematography, thanks to the stunning scenery, and some stylized editing – not hallmarks of the documentary genre – are used for some amazing climbing sequences. However, the cinematography and editing are so fluid and precise that it calls its actual relation to the film into question. The director never gives an absolute cue as to whether or not the cinematography is showing the action or if it is an Errol Morris-style reenactment. Although a beautiful-looking film, To the Limit never really manages to get on its feet, much less gain any speed. Dustin L. Nelson
June 13, 2008