ASPEN EXTREME
A film review by James Berardinelli
Copyright 1993 James Berardinelli
Running Length: 1:55 Rated: PG-13 (Language, partial nudity)
Starring: Paul Gross, Peter Berg, Teri Polo, Finola Hughes Director: Patrick Hasburgh Producer: Leonard Goldberg Screenplay: Patrick Hasburgh Music: Michael Convertino Released by Hollywood Pictures
T. J. Burke (Paul Gross) is a failed writer whose life is going nowhere. Together with his best friend Dexter (Peter Berg), he heads off to Aspen, Colorado to become a ski instructor. T. J. soon learns, however, that with the glamor comes a price. He meets the ultra-rich Bryce (Finola Hughes), who's willing to give him just about anything money can buy--if he throws over his true love (Teri Polo) and moves in with her. Meanwhile, Dexter becomes involved with Aspen's seedy underbelly, dealing drugs, drinking, and snorting cocaine.
Without a doubt, the most impressive thing about ASPEN EXTREME is its cinematography. Photographed by Stephen Fierberg and Robert Primes, this movie is a prime example of how to make good use of a camera, moving with the skiers as they fly down slopes and sail over embankments, twisting and turning to highlight the action without confusing or obscuring it. The numerous "scenery shots" (filmed in British Columbia rather than Aspen, where the mountains are more imposing) are picturesque and breathtaking. ASPEN EXTREME is almost worth the price of admission just to see such photography.
That would be the only reason to see the movie, however. It does not possess an abundance of redeeming qualities. Writer/director Patrick Hasburgh, a ski buff, is unable to put together a convincing story with real characters. He knows his stuff on the slopes, but this is a film that tries unsuccessfully to be a lot more. For this, his first effort, he might have had some success trying for a comedy instead of a drama.
Aside from being fragmented (it's difficult to tell how much time has passed at any given point during the film--the seasons change, but it's unclear how quickly), the plot is flat and unoriginal. Various formulas, some of which don't make sense in the context of the movie--are spliced together without concern for whether they make for reasonable entertainment. The drug-dealer subplot is especially out-of-place. And, of course, there's a skiing competition to be won.
Probably the biggest failing of ASPEN EXTREME is its characters. Movies that try to be dramatically effective need three-dimensional characters. This picture has a stock, made-to-order population. They can't grow, because there's nothing for them to grow into. The only way we know they've changed by the end is because there are lines of dialogue that tell us this.
Perhaps experienced actors would have helped, but I doubt it. Although none of the principles are great performers, they're likable and energetic, making up for range with enthusiasm. While that the lack of talent might hurt a better movie, it actually helps to lighten the load of ASPEN EXTREME.
In the end, ASPEN EXTREME is a predictable, pointless melodrama--a kind of TOP GUN in the snow. Ski enthusiasts might be tempted to see the film based on subject matter alone, but, unless they're undiscriminating about the quality of their movies, I would caution against it. Even as vicarious entertainment, ASPEN EXTREME is feeble.
Rating: 5.7 (C-, *1/2)
- James Berardinelli (blake7@cc.bellcore.com)
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