As a connoisseur of heartwarming and inspiring tales, I must say that “Lost on a Mountain in Maine” is a delightful addition to my collection. The film’s title may promise a predictable journey, but it’s the unexpected twists and turns along the way that truly captivate.
Similar to how “Death of a Salesman,” “The Assassination of Trotsky,” and “Penn and Teller Get Killed” have predictable titles, “Lost on a Mountain in Maine” follows suit with its title indicating a challenging journey ahead. However, there’s no uncertainty about the outcome for Donn Fender (Luke David Blumm), the young main character, as the story unfolds. In fact, from the very start of this family-friendly true-life drama, it is clear that everything will work out well for him. The creators, director Andrew Boodhoo Kightlinger and scripter Luke Paradise (adapted from a memoir co-written by the real Donn Fender), even provide an assurance that a positive ending awaits us.
As a movie enthusiast, I find it’s not all that dreadful: If you’re watching “Lost on a Mountain in Maine” alongside impressionable young ones, you can rest easy knowing they won’t be unduly frightened by Donn’s harrowing ordeal of surviving nine days alone in the frigid wilderness of Northern Maine without sustenance, hydration, and appropriate equipment. However, this might change if they become so engrossed in the tale that they momentarily forget the film’s outcome has already been revealed to them.
For adult audiences, they might find themselves captivated during occasional bouts of moderate tension, and they’ll undoubtedly be impressed by Idan Menin’s striking cinematography, which significantly boosts the film’s overall impact. It’s also worth noting that all major characters are convincingly portrayed, and young Blumm stands out in particular for his ability to create an emotional connection with his character.
It’s quite impressive how Donn, who initially appears sulky and somewhat bratty, manages to transform himself. The story takes place in 1939, Newport, Maine, during the depths of the Great Depression. Donald Fendler (played by Paul Sparks) is a stern father who shows little compassion towards his son or any of his children. His wife, Ruth (Caitlin FitzGerald), is understanding, but Donn’s father believes that the harsh world has no mercy, and neither should he. He feels no need to be lenient.
It’s no wonder that Donn isn’t fond of his father’s strict parenting style. In fact, he becomes quite upset when Donald, whose occupation requires him to be away from home and family for long stretches, informs him that a two-week fishing trip must be postponed because work demands it. After all, the boss is calling, and Donald can’t afford to displease him during these economically challenging times.
Initially, it seems Donald seldom (or never) feels the need to apologize when he disappoints any of his children. Interestingly, before leaving, he proposes a short hiking expedition up Mount Katahdin – the tallest mountain in Maine – as a gesture of atonement for past transgressions.
This is a big mistake.
Donn is so surly in his resentment that, when a fast-moving storm rolls in while he, his siblings and father, and a family friend are trudging upward, the youngster defies the obvious dangers and continues onward. He’s very quickly separated from the group, and forced to wander through “100,000 acres of wilderness” that is even less forgiving than his father.
As Donn makes his way through the treacherous territory, members of his family and volunteer search parties hope for the best but expect the worst, while the boy withstands physical and psychological hardships that might cause a Green Beret to flinch. (It’s tempting to surmise that Sylvester Stallone signed on as one of the film’s producers mainly because the premise reminded him of Rambo’s rambles through the wild.)
The movie contains up-to-date interviews with some people involved in this unfortunate event, such as Donn’s twin brother, who confesses that after nine days, “we were searching for a body.” Furthermore, there is a moving collection of historical footage at the end, which shows how this incident ended and reconciliations took place.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of “Lost on a Mountain in Maine” lies in its subtle exploration of a thought-provoking query: Might Donn’s survival skills have been honed more effectively had his father not been so stern? Initially, Donald cautions his son that sometimes you must “finish your fight,” and it seems plausible that Donn internalized his dad’s advice to an extent neither realized.
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2024-11-01 10:46