The Eight Mountains
The Eight Mountains

Movie spotlight

The Eight Mountains

2022
Movie
147 min
Italian

An epic journey of friendship and self-discovery set in the breathtaking Italian Alps, The Eight Mountains follows over four decades the profound, complex relationship between Pietro and Bruno.

Insights

IMDb7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes93%
Metacritic82/100
Google Users91%
Director: Charlotte Vandermeersch, Felix van GroeningenGenres: Drama, Adventure

Plot Summary

Based on the novel by Paolo Cognetti, this film follows the decades-long friendship between Pietro and Bruno, two boys from different backgrounds who meet in the Italian Alps. Their bond is forged in the mountains, and as they grow into adulthood, their lives diverge and intertwine against the backdrop of this majestic landscape. The story explores themes of fatherhood, choices, and the enduring power of nature and human connection.

Critical Reception

The Eight Mountains received widespread critical acclaim for its stunning cinematography, poignant storytelling, and powerful performances. Critics lauded its emotional depth and its contemplative exploration of friendship and the human condition against the vastness of the natural world. Audiences generally responded positively to its mature themes and immersive atmosphere.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its breathtaking visual artistry and sweeping scope.

  • Commended for its sensitive portrayal of a deep, complex friendship.

  • Applauded for its profound exploration of man's relationship with nature and masculinity.

Google audience: Viewers largely appreciated the film's beautiful scenery and the emotional resonance of the central friendship. Many found it to be a moving and reflective cinematic experience, though some noted its deliberate pacing.

Awards & Accolades

Winner of the Jury Prize at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The film was shot on location in the Italian Alps, with the filmmakers aiming to capture the raw beauty and challenging nature of the mountain environment, requiring extensive preparation and logistical planning.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
Brent Marchant

Brent Marchant

Considering the importance of friendship in our lives, it’s somewhat surprising that there aren’t more movies devoted to this subject. But perhaps that’s because it’s difficult to make truly engaging films that effectively address this topi...

badelf

badelf

This is an amazing and captivating study of the personal growth two men and their relationship over a forty-year period. It's never boring, in spite of the film length. The pacing is just perfect for the unfolding of kind of deep love that ...

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

"Pietro" (a scene stealing Lupo Barbiero) is a young boy taken by his mother from their home in Turin to a small mountain village where amongst the dozen or so residents he befriends "Bruno" (Cristiano Sassella). The latter boy lives with h...