Few actors seem to be as consistently busy as Naomi Watts, who has produced at least one project every year for over a decade. Not all of them may be winners, but her latest, survival drama Infinite Storm, is a very solid entry to her ever-growing filmography. Directed by Małgorzata Szumowska, the film chronicles a tale of real life heroism and human strength, and it's hard to not feel inspired by the journey. Infinite Storm might feel somewhat slight to some because of its relatively simple story and slim cast (Watts is often putting on a one-woman show here), but the action is fairly gripping, if not pulse-pounding, and the technical aspects heighten the drama. Enhanced by an all-in performance from Watts and impressive behind-the-camera work, Infinite Storm is a ride that's both engrossing and emotional.
One day in October 2010, experienced mountain climber Pam Bales (Watts) sets out to tackle a familiar path on New Hampshire's Mount Washington. The difficult climb helps her stave off the simmering grief she holds in her chest. However, before she can even reach the summit, a nasty snowstorm blows in and forces Pam to retreat. On her way down, she spots something shocking in the snow: sneaker prints. They lead her to the near-frozen form of a man she calls John (Billy Howle), who is up on Mount Washington for unknown purposes. Using her well-honed survival skills, Pam takes it upon herself to rescue him before the storm kills them both.
Clocking in at just over an hour and a half, Infinite Storm keeps things relatively simple. Szumowska, working from a script by Joshua Rollins, doesn't muddle up the plot with excessive drama. Instead, details are conveyed through images and sound. For example, it's clear Pam is an incredibly skilled hiker because she's shown methodically packing a bag with the necessary gear, and she leaves a note displaying her chosen trail on her car at the base of the mountain. Audiences don't require someone telling them Pam is great at what she does — they just know. As Pam starts her ascent, Szumowska highlights how alone she is by doing away with any potential score; it's silent, save for the sounds of Pam's breaths and the shifting ground beneath her feet. When the weather gets worse, that solitary feeling only grows more ominous.
Sound plays a big role in Infinite Storm, whether it be the lack of it or the few instances where music does play. Ben Baird's sound design serves the film quite well, as do the gorgeous visuals captured by cinematographer Michał Englert. The technical aspects of Infinite Storm are all quite admirable, though this is also the kind of movie that lives or dies on its central performance. Watts is no stranger to the survival genre, and her willingness to grit her teeth and sink into the physicality of a character like Pam is a thrill to watch. Even in the moments where she has no dialogue or no one to work opposite of, Watts effectively hints at the hidden depths Pam has inside. Infinite Storm occasionally alludes to the tragedy she suffered in her past, and it's most effective when it isn't explicitly showing it. There is one sequence that portrays the incident outright, but it feels unnecessarily upsetting.
As the second passenger on this dangerous journey down Mount Washington, Howle doesn't always get to do more than collapse and shiver. That's not really his fault, seeing as John is nearly dead by the time Pam finds him. Still, it makes their rapport rather shaky at first. Despite being about a daring rescue, there's a strange lack of urgency to the actual trek down the mountain. The stakes are high, and John's toes are nearly black, but Infinite Storm isn't exactly a non-stop thrill ride. In the end, it has more to do with grief than anything else, which might catch some viewers by surprise. To be sure, there are moments of suspense and anxiety, but Szumowska is clearly more focused on the themes about the human spirit than on depicting a nail-biting adventure. And that's okay.
Infinite Storm effectively illuminates a true story that not many people outside of New Hampshire have likely heard of. Watts gives a game performance as a devastated mother who still chooses to see good in the world around her, and the stark, harsh beauty of what nature is capable of will impress many viewers. Though it is less concerned with the adrenaline that comes with a rescue mission, Infinite Storm would be worth a watch from those who enjoy incredible true stories, or from anyone who just might be a fan of Watts.
Infinite Storm releases in theaters Friday, March 25. It is 98 minutes long and is rated R for some language and brief nudity.