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Free Solo

18 replies

SaturdayNext · 24/01/2019 11:40

Has anyone seen this? I heard a programme on the radio which made me want to see it, and lots of people have said it's a fantastic film. However, I've just looked at which makes me wonder if it wouldn't give me instant vertigo. I'd generally a wuss about heights. What areother people's experiences?

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Original poster
SaturdayNext · 24/01/2019 11:40

I'm, not I'd.

OP posts:
BigGreenOlives · 29/01/2019 00:49

I completely loved this, really interesting and I’d followed the climb in real life so it was great to see the documentary. I don’t get vertigo so I can’t help on that front. It did make me feel a bit pathetic for only being able to do 3 pull ups Grin.

Strawberrypancakes · 04/03/2019 23:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mrbob · 05/03/2019 08:13

It was an amazing film. Very funny and sweet at times and totally awe inspiring (although also was feeling somewhat inadequate)
I just found the psychology behind it so interesting
I am not sure about the girlfriend- I think he was fairly clear about where he was and she seemed to want him to change for her which seems pretty unfair
Can highly recommend it. Spectacular and so interesting

Fazackerley · 05/03/2019 08:16

I've heard it's pretty scathing about the girlfriend which has put me off. I watched Dawn Wall instead.

sw19007 · 05/03/2019 08:20

He was fairly selfish with his girlfriend but she knew exactly what she was getting into when she met him and throughout the film ( which was amazing) he was perfectly honest with her about his feelings etc. They are still together ( I googled!).
Well worth watching- don't not watch it because of his girlfriend!

captainprincess · 05/03/2019 20:50

Oh I really want to see this, where can I watch it??

NoNoNoOohmaybe · 05/03/2019 20:53

It's amazing! Loved the mix of the real life relationships and the awesome achievement.

He'd be a nightmare to be in a relationship with for most of the population but she seems to be happy.

Fazackerley · 06/03/2019 07:58

This was on the national geographic channel last night! I came across it randomly.

ChristineBaskets · 07/04/2019 09:44

I agree that The Dawn Wall is better, or watch both with TDW first. Free Solo is excellent though. His girlfriend is deluded unfortunately and thinks she can change him imo. I fear that we will hear he has been killed one day.

Loopytiles · 14/04/2019 22:41

Really interesting film. Massive feat achieved. The risk was immense.

He doesn’t seem “neurotypical”: a brain scan showed that his amygdala (?) is not typical.

I think it was quite even handed in portraying the relationship. It seemed that he was honest with her throughout. Getting into the relationship was a massive risk for her, not sensible!

I’m uncomfortable with the fact that he earned/earns more money than others because of not using ropes, and doing very dangerous climbs, presumably because this attracts more public interest, including for this film. So by watching we’re contributing to incentives to people to take risks.

Loopytiles · 14/04/2019 22:41

It’s on Netflix.

DeRigueurMortis · 14/04/2019 22:46

I loved it and am not into climbing at all.

I watched it after the other Netflix Film: The Dawn Wall (which I think is just as good if not better).

I'd recommend watching the Dawn Wall first as that one features the climber who helps train the climber on El Cap for Free Solo and a lot of that back story makes more sense if you watch in that order (otherwise you'd wonder - unless a climbing enthusiast - why is this guy Tommy "helping" arguably the best free solo climber).

DeRigueurMortis · 14/04/2019 22:53

Oh and I didn't think Free Solo was scathing about his girlfriend.

As pp's have said he was incredibly honest about his priorities in life and it was her choice to remain in the relationship on that basis.

DH and I felt that the protagonists in both movies had childhoods that's were similar in many ways (specifically wrt gaining parental approval and living up to expectations) that had warped their sense of risk/reward/self worth.

Out of the two however, you got the sense that one (won't say who as not to spoil) had finally arrived at a good place in their life/climbing balance.

MyFamilyAndOtherAnimals1 · 15/04/2019 18:42

I'd watch Valley Uprising first, then The Dawn Wall, then Free Solo

  • this way it all makes sense. ...(also, Meru, and Cold are great too!) @Big Green Olives - three pullups is still awesome!!
megletthesecond · 18/08/2019 21:05

It's on 4 On Demand at the moment.

Fascinating film. I'd like to know more about his brain scan, had it been over stimulated and stopped functioning properly? I felt as sick as the camera crew watching the climb.

I couldn't understand why he didn't need to take any snacks up with him Blush, but it only took four hours! Whenever I've watched anything about El Capitan they've always slept halfway.

Baldcrusader · 13/10/2019 08:55

Great watch. Think it's a little harsh to call him selfish. If I was going to do something where one mistake genuinely equals death then I'd be a tad focused too.

He comes across as a nice guy in the interviews I've seen.

Don't think this kind of film encourages risks overall as I doubt casual idiots are going to look at a sheer face and think 'what a good idea said Zog' and climbers of lesser ability should be able to listen to the little voice saying no.

purpleme12 · 23/04/2024 00:39

Just absolutely crazy

I thought it was really sad how he'd never hugged anyone til later on in life

I will never understand why people do these things

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