Free Solo

Free Solo is a 2018 documentary that was originally intended to be a straightforward profile of rock climber, Alex Honnold, who is one of the leading practitioners of free solo climbing (i.e. climbing alone without ropes, harnesses, or any protective equipment).  Somewhere along the way, the project needed serious rethinking, after Honnold suggested that he be filmed doing an unprecedented free solo climb of the ~3,000 feet El Capitan rock wall in Yosemite National Park.  Eventually, the project was back on track, with that attempted climb becoming a key focus of the documentary.

Knowing this background should make one wonder about how the filmmakers looked at the ethics and hazards of making a film in which there is the risk that the main subject could die.  It’s an issue that they talk about in the film, and have also addressed in subsequent interviews.

This apart, there are three things about Free Solo that stand out for me. 

The first is the choice of Alex Honnold as the subject of the documentary.  Like a magnet, he instantly draws you in, making you want to know more about him.  For someone who is an extraordinary achiever in an extraordinary vocation, he comes across as extremely down-to-earth.  Furthermore, as the film quickly establishes, he is not a thrill seeker.  He is someone in pursuit of perfection in a sport where, falling the slightest bit short of perfection, could be fatal.  Not only is he acutely aware of this, he is clear, articulate and upfront about why he does what he does. 

The second is the verite footage that takes you up close into Honnold’s spartan lifestyle, and  his rigorous planning process.  The footage also captures poignant moments with the people around Honnold that show what they think about his choices in general, and this climb, in particular. 

The third is the way that the climb is filmed.  It involved an elite crew of climbers-cum-cinematographers, either perched upon the rock wall, or moving with Honnold as he did his climb.  It gives the climb a very intimate feel, especially when it comes to highlighting the key obstacles that Honnold faces.  And it greatly adds to the suspense of the outcome (even for those who know what the eventual outcome was).

Here is a link to the spoiler-free trailer.