Tye Sheridan and Jeff Goldblum headline the new film The Mountain. While both Sheridan and Goldblum shine in the film, the subject matter is difficult. Jeff Goldblum’s character, Dr. Wallace Fiennes travels the country performing lobotomies in mental institutions. Tye Sheridan plays Andy, a shy and quiet reserved young man who has recently lost his father. With no real connections and nothing stopping him, Andy becomes Dr. Fiennes’ photographer and travels the country with him. Initially, the lobotomy service seems to be popular, but as the film progresses we see multiple psychiatric facilities turn the two away saying they’ve found more humane treatments. It’s no surprise; medical lobotomies were a horrifying procedure that often killed people or ruined their lives. Andy begins to relate to the patients and questions the procedure. When he meets a young woman requesting a lobotomy (Hannah Gross) he is immediately smitten with her and her beliefs.
The Mountain is occasionally jarring, especially when the repetitive actions of both Andy and Dr. Fiennes suddenly change their actions. Tragic events stand out stronger when everything else feels so simple. For viewers sensitive to medical procedures or who have family members that went through the more barbaric treatments for mental illness in the first part of the 20th century, this film can be difficult. In one scene, Dr. Fiennes loses a patient during one of his procedures and it leaves the viewer with a sudden sinking feeling.
The Mountain is a gorgeous film and Jeff Goldblum pulls off a memorable, but uncomfortable role as Dr. Fiennes. Tye Sheridan brilliantly captures the reservation of someone who is at first too afraid of making their own choices.
The Mountain comes to theaters July 26, 2019.
