The new Apple film ‘Tenzing,’ a narrative feature by Jennifer Peedom, takes viewers on a journey up Mount Everest, or as Tenzing Norgay himself called it, Chomolungma. Starring Genden Phuntsok as Tenzing and Tom Hiddleston as Edmund Hillary, this biographical drama attempts to offer a fresh perspective on the historic 1953 climb. According to the review, the movie’s most compelling relationship isn’t between the legendary climbers, but rather Tenzing’s deep, spiritual bond with the mountain itself, which he views as a heavenly mother. This unique angle aims to reframe the well-known story of the first human ascent, moving away from a narrative of conquest to one of pure, spiritual love. But the big question is, does this fresh take on the classic Mount Everest drama actually land, or does it just feel a bit flat?
For real, this movie lowkey tries to do something different, contrasting Tenzing’s reverence for Chomolungma with the European expedition’s ‘battle to be won’ mentality. While other Sherpas might see a terrifying sacred force, Tenzing’s connection is portrayed as one of profound affection, a calling to ‘come home.’ This reframing is a subtle but lovely touch, offering a welcome change from the typical Eurocentric view of such expeditions. The article states that characters like expedition leader John Hunt, portrayed by Willem Dafoe, still lean into the ‘Siege of Everest’ mindset, making Tenzing’s perspective truly hit different. It’s a legit effort to highlight the cultural nuances of the Sherpa people.
The film’s narrative structure, penned by Luke Davies and Jennifer Peedom, weaves together three distinct timelines. We see Tenzing as an adorable young boy in a remote Tibetan village, captivated by explorers like George Mallory (Johnny Flynn), then as a gentle young man heading to Darjeeling with his wife, Dawa (Thinley Lamo), seeking work as a Sherpa. The central storyline focuses on an adult Tenzing, played by Phuntsok, as the head Sherpa for England’s fateful 1953 expedition. The movie respectfully refers to the peak as Chomolungma, a thoughtful nod to Tenzing’s heritage that sets a tone of cultural awareness, even if it doesn’t always translate to dynamic storytelling.
Despite its promising premise and solid performances from Phuntsok and Hiddleston, who share a nice, friendly chemistry, the review points out that ‘Tenzing’ largely falls into a ‘sturdy-but-staid biopic formula.’ The harrowing, life-or-death stakes of climbing one of the world’s most treacherous peaks rarely manage to quicken the pulse. This lack of tension isn’t just because we already know the outcome; it’s attributed to the film’s tendency to keep its main characters at a reverent distance, rendering them in broad strokes rather than fine, complex details. It’s like, they’re good dudes, but you don’t really get to know what makes them tick beyond their shared love for climbing.
The article suggests that the film misses a big opportunity to delve into the complexities and struggles that must have defined Tenzing Norgay’s journey. His wife, Dawa, for instance, is depicted as an ‘eternally supportive angel’ with ‘nonspecific’ desires. Even Tenzing’s own challenges, like the British initially not making him a full climbing member or the tension with other Sherpas, seem to resolve with minimal fuss. This portrayal, where obstacles ‘just seem to fall out of the way,’ unintentionally makes Tenzing’s historic ascent appear straightforward and inevitable, rather than the result of immense courage and determination. No cap, that’s a bummer for a story so epic.
Ultimately, while ‘Tenzing’ offers pretty landscapes and generally likable characters, it’s critiqued as ‘broadly likable, mostly forgettable.’ The review concludes that while it might be a decent flick to fire up on Apple on a lazy Friday night, it doesn’t truly do justice to its fearless subject. It’s a story about a monumental achievement, yet the film, perhaps accidentally, strips away the very grit and struggle that made it so. It’s giving ‘safe’ rather than ‘groundbreaking,’ which is a tough pill to swallow for a film about such an groundbreaking feat. Periodt.
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Livia Dorne covers film, television, music, and pop culture with a keen editorial perspective. She delivers engaging commentary, reviews, and behind-the-scenes insights that keep readers connected to the entertainment world. Her style blends critique with storytelling.
