3/2/2022 – TV-MA – 1h 42m – Netflix

Alan: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Michelle: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In 1906, Danish explorer Ludvig Mylius-Erichsen mapping the coast of Greenland proved that Peary Land, a peninsula in northmost Greenland, was in fact connected to Greenland and was not an island separated by a channel of water. His expedition failed; and, everyone died before he could return his findings to Denmark. This movie is not about him.

In 1909, the experienced explorer Ejnar Mikkelsen aided by the novice Iver Iversen set out to determine the fate of the Mylius-Erichsen expedition. The explorers envision the unexpected, but the pair had far more unexpected events than they anticipated.

Against the Ice is based on the true story of Mikkelsen’s and Iversen’s experience in Greenland and is based on the autobiographical book Two Against the Ice. (Spoiler! At least one of the explorers lived to write the book.)

Alan: This is the story of two men forming a deep bond of friendship as they learn how to rely on each other for survival. The themes of figuring out what is truly important to you in life resonated with me.

Michelle: The movie flows well and tells the story with a good pacing. The plot twists are believable and well motivated. There is no annoying trickery with flashbacks to pull your attention away from the character’s current feelings and experiences. The movie follows the character’s path and takes the viewer along with Iver and Ejnar.  

Alan: The film was very effective at letting me feel the excitement of discovery, the horror of being stranded with little hope of rescue, and the pressures of isolation that can drive a man to madness.

Michelle: Terrible and awesome things happen to the explorers, and the acting is nuanced and natural. 

Alan: The shots of Iceland and Greenland used in the film were gorgeous. The struggles the pair encountered were realistic and their responses made sense — even when their choices didn’t result in optimal outcomes. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Joe Cole gave great performances as Ejnar and Iver. I give Against the Ice five out five stars.

Michelle: There are no silly decisions by the characters to move the plot along. Bad things happen organically due to the environment or the character’s flaws, but not because of machinations of a writer out of good ideas. 

The only clunky thing in this film is the use of stereotypical “danger” soundtrack noise that sounds like a police car siren at a much lower pitch that many action movies started to use several years ago–a low growling ‘waaaah, waaaah, waaaah’—during one of the exciting encounters with wildlife on the ice at the edge of the water. 

Overall, this movie is a 5 out of 5 star film.