Thursday, November 12, 2015

Great Alone (2015) DOC NYC 2015

More people have made it to the top of Mount Everest than have finished the Iditarod.- title at the start of  THE GREAT ALONE

This is the story of Lance Mackey who is the son of legendary dog sled racer Dick Mackey. Lance talks about his life as we watch him race in 2013.

Its simply told film that in its simplicity is one of the most riveting films at DOC NYC. A glorious look at a hard man and his hard life. Though its words and images we get to know the sort of person who would even try to race a dog sled 1049 miles and we are better for it. If there was ever a case for never giving up this is it.  At the same time we get to know the race and what it takes to participate and simply complete it.

Not to put too fine a point on it this is one of the best films at DOC NYC and one of my top films of 2015. I freaking love this film - no that is not a professional term but I don't care I love this movie. Its a glorious arc of a life and redemptive story about doing what you love, overcoming adversity and ending up where you always hoped you'd be. (No that is not a spoiler).

If there is any real flaw it's that we don't hear from Mackey's ex-wife and kids. Despite being mentioned and being a calming force that got him on the straight and narrow we only see them fleetingly and thy are only mentioned in passing. It would have been nice to have something on them other than the passing reference and note at the end that the relationship  broke up once he became a winner.

Go see this film.

The film plays Monday and Tuesday at DOC NYC.  For more information and tickets go here.

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