7/10
Riveting and inspiring documentary--almost too much to take in
5 December 2021
"14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible" (2021 release; 101 min.) is a documentary about a Nepal mountaineer's seemingly impossible attempt to summit the earth's 14 mountains that are higher than 8000 meters, all in a single season (April through October, 2019). "Don't be afraid to dream big", reflects Nirmal Purja, the man at issue. We then go back in time as we learn of Purja's modest upbringing and his eventual joining of the UK Special Forces. Along the way we are also introduced to Purja's family, non more so than his now-ailing mother, who looms over the family's history. At this point we are 10 min into the documentary.

Couple of comments: this is the latest documentary from Torquil Jones. Here he is given unfettered access to the large-than-life, almost dare-devilish, dream of Pruja to do what nobody has ever tried before. To put in perspective, talking head Jimmy Chin reminds us that an expedition to summit one of these mountains typically takes 2 months. Here Purja is going to summit the world's 14 highest mountains in just over 6 months... Just crazy, right? Along the way, we are treated to some out of this world footage about these mountains.

"14 Peaks" started streaming on Netflix a week or so ago. I caught it the other night, and I was amazed how quickly time flew by as I was watching this. If you have any interest in extreme sports, or in simply an awe-inspiring slice of life in general, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.
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