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![]() ![]() Many viewers find their way to YT channels like TFIL or CBG, where seasoned spelunkers film their adventures and make it back out. But be warned: This film will stick to you. Both Ryan & Susie became friends of the families. In the only detail I could find about Ryan it was said despite his cave & rescue expertise when he first saw John's predicament he had to hold back tears. The rescuer called Aaron in the film was actually Ryan Shurtz. ![]() I would definitely recommend watching this part-documentary/ part-drama & then do a search where you'll find things like a drawing depicting how John was positioned & the narrow access routes. The nimble 15 y/o was a regular caver who also brought with him the radio for a final goodbye to Emily, which never took place. It doesn't tell that the son of the cave-access manager was sent in to do the final crawl with a stethoscope. IE, it doesn't reveal they tried to dig rock away to make more room, that 2 rescuers got stuck, or that only 15 were qualified to actually go into that part of the cave. But it does leave a lot out, which can be found on the web. This is a beautiful retelling of who John was, what became of him, & some interesting ideas of what he might have experienced. But w/any art, you need to look for what the presentation is trying to convey, not what you think it should convey. Some reviews are unhappy with the way the film was done. Despite the horrific ordeal, there simply isn't the same level of suspense. Many call it similar to 127 Hours but it's more similar to Everest (Rob Hall), imo. However, I found that days after watching, this story still haunts me. Later, that extreme level of tension diminishes. ![]() Those saying you shouldn't watch if you're claustrophobic weren't kidding it is very tense when John is scooching thru the narrow passage. All actors were believable, set was well-done w/great attention to detail. Kudos to Halasima for a beautifully done mosaic of John's life & ordeal. Although it was good that John's story was told, I feel it could have been done better.Ĭhadwick Hopsin gave a stellar performance as John. The acting was okay but the underground scenes were confusing and you couldn't really get a sense of what was going on when he got stuck and afterwards. Instead, I spent the first part wondering who the strangely dressed man was that kept popping up. I feel as though if the makers of this had just kept it in the period he went caving and was stuck with perhaps more focus on how he, his family and rescuers were dealing with it, it would have been a more powerful telling of his story. The writers have to find filler and, in this case, it was John's early relationship with his wife and, as someone previously said, a weird Benjamin Button remake with his unborn son. The problem with making a true story film about a person who had a fairly ordinary life until one event happens is that there is not enough material for a full length movie. In saying that, I'm reviewing this as a film and it's not great. This man's story is definitely tragic and I feel for him and his family. ![]()
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