Lost on a Mountain in Maine
Lost on a Mountain in Maine
Starring Luke David Blumm, Caitlin FitzGerald, Paul Sparks, Griffin Wallace Henkel
Directed by Andrew Boodhoo Kightlinger
In 1939, brothers Donn (Luke David Blumm) and Ryan (Griffin Wallace Henkel) live under the tyrannical thumb of their overbearing father Donald (Paul Sparks) who demand the boys become men, and their nurturing mother Ruth (Caitlin FitzGerald) who is also independent and headstrong. Donald takes the boys to one of the highest mountains in Maine to hike it, and after an argument the boys decide to go it without him. During a storm they get separated and Donn is abandoned in the mountains alone to fend for himself. Through the next nine days he endures weather, animals, and hunger to survive while Donald, Ryan and Ruth gather a search party to find their missing relative before time runs out.
It might've been my mood at the time, but I found it difficult to get fully involved in the movie. Maybe it was the historic context, taking place in 1939, that made it more boring to me. Maybe it was the performances, that didn't feel all that exciting. Usually a film has to draw you in immediately, and this one failed to do so.
Yet after a rough start I got more invested in the story, especially thanks to the story structure. The film is split into three different parts: the main focus is Donn's survival, which showcases young Luke David Blumm's talent. He endures the hardships in the woods in ways that makes it believable, as he struggles with the elements, hunger, and worries that he won't see his family again. It's a harrowing performance for such a young actor, and he pulls it off well.
The second part of the film deals with the family and their unyielding search to find Donn. While Ryan fades into the background, Caitlin FitzGerald and Paul Sparks step into the limelight as Donn's parents. Sparks specifically has a lot of emotional weight to carry, as he was the one who pushed Donn to become a man and took him to the mountains in the first place. You sense his self-resentment and worry in palpable ways, leaving FitzGerald's Ruth to pick up the slack. She steps up to the plate and organizes a huge search party by involving the media, and doesn't give up hope she'll find her son.
Then the third part is real interviews inter-spliced throughout the film, with the real life Donn, Ruth, and others talking about the harrowing experience. Honestly, this was the most intriguing parts of the film, and I feel it would've been more impactful if the movie had been a full blown documentary.
All in all, "Lost on a Mountain in Maine" is a decent enough film about the strength of the human spirit, told through the eyes of a talented up-and-coming young actor, but doesn't offer enough excitement to fully immerse yourself into the experience.
The Score: C
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