Director: Jennifer Peedom
Writer: Luke Davies
Stars: Willem Dafoe, Tom Hiddleston, Genden Phuntsok
Synopsis: The untold and inspiring tale of one of the most important mountain climbers in history who, with Edmund Hillary, became the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest..
Summiting Mt. Everest remains one of the most impressive feats any human can achieve. The first successful ascent came in 1953 courtesy of a British expedition that, rather humorously, relied on a New Zealander in Sir Edmund Hillary to finally reach the top. Hillary, though, wasn’t alone at the summit, as he was joined by the lesser-known Tenzing Norgay. Thanks to Australian filmmaker Jennifer Peedom, Tenzing tells the truly remarkable story of the man whose name is so often overshadowed by his climbing partner.
Scripted by Luke Davies, Tenzing blends together three distinct timelines. Starting in the 1920s, audiences are introduced to a young Tenzing growing up in a remote Tibetan village. There, unbeknownst to him at the time, he meets legendary climber George Mallory (Johnny Flynn), who sets in motion Tenzing’s fascination with Chomolungma, the Tibetan name for Mt. Everest.
From there, the movie settles into its main storyline in 1953. An adult Tenzing (Genden Phuntsok), caring for his two daughters following his wife’s passing, has been selected as head Sherpa for Britain’s latest attempt to summit the mountain. Alongside a British contingent headed by Colonel John Hunt (Willem Dafoe), Tenzing must endure the perilous climb and grueling physical environment while navigating a number of personal challenges. Making those challenges slightly easier is his flourishing friendship with Ed Hillary (Tom Hiddleston).
However, in nonlinear fashion, Peedom also weaves in the story of a younger Tenzing (Tenzin Dalha), exploring how he met his wife and how, together, they risked everything to leave their home village for Darjeeling. There, Tenzing could pursue his dream of becoming a Sherpa, guiding European expeditions up Everest and providing a better life for their prospective family.
On the surface, Tenzing is a fairly formulaic biopic. It tells the story of an extraordinary individual who becomes one of the first two people confirmed to have reached the summit of the world’s highest mountain. To Peedom’s credit, the use of nonlinear storytelling is at least an attempt to make this tired genre feel a little more exciting. Unfortunately, it can also be to the movie’s detriment. During some of the most intense and anxiety-inducing climbing sequences, audiences are suddenly taken out of the action for a flashback to Tenzing’s past.
That has a real impact on the pacing and tone. Audiences can be fully immersed in this fast-paced rollercoaster, sitting on the edge of their seats and not knowing what to expect next, only to suddenly be transported back to a village where their emotional heartstrings are being tugged at. It creates severe tonal whiplash, like a car accelerating to 100 miles per hour only to slam on the brakes before immediately hitting the accelerator again. It definitely keeps you on your toes, but not always for the right reasons.
On the flip side, Davies’ script and Peedom’s direction give Sherpas a level of prominence rarely afforded to them in a major Western production. Often discriminated against and treated as lesser than their European counterparts, they are instead shown to be indispensable to these expeditions. It’s a genuine celebration of just how astounding the Sherpas are while presenting their culture in an incredibly respectful light. Western audiences should come away with a much deeper understanding of just how vital these people have been to the history of Everest.
Discrimination remains at the forefront throughout the movie. While the Sherpas understandably bear the brunt of it, rather surprisingly, even the Kiwi members of the British expedition find themselves targeted. The film portrays Colonel Hunt as someone whose traditional way of thinking remains firmly entrenched even as the expedition approaches the climax of the climb: if your face didn’t fit, you weren’t worthy. His reluctance to put Hillary and Tenzing in position to summit, despite their obvious ability to do so, becomes another example of the prejudices the pair have to overcome.
Undeniably, the best aspect of Tenzing is simply how beautiful it looks. It would be easy to lose count of the sheer number of breathtaking visual sequences cinematographer Stefan Duscio creates. The sweeping frames of Nepal’s mountains result in some of the most striking imagery you’re likely to see. That makes it a shame most will only experience them on a screen at home, as these vistas were created to be seen on the biggest screen possible.
While the film doesn’t provide the most convincing foundation for how their blossoming friendship begins, Genden Phuntsok and Tom Hiddleston do some extremely solid work in making audiences buy into the relationship. Neither is given extensive material to show off everything they can bring, but both make the most of what they’re given. Phuntsok brings a believable sense of emotion alongside an undeniable charm, while Hiddleston proves to be a very convincing Kiwi, delivering some lines that will inevitably bring a smile to your face.
As the credits begin to roll, there is a lingering sense that a story as remarkable as Tenzing Norgay’s could have been told slightly better. Tenzing is undoubtedly an easy and enjoyable watch, elevated by breathtaking cinematography, a pair of charming central performances and a long-overdue celebration of the Sherpas who made these historic expeditions possible. But a story as momentous as this should leave you wanting to jump out of your chair and give it a round of applause. Instead, while you might, like me, give it a firm nod of approval, it never quite earns the rapturous reception its subject deserves.
