Sadly, more downs than ups in this horror that aims high . . . . .
When viewing the first half of High Lane (aka Vertige) it seems like you’re in capable hands as director Abel Ferry exploits the common fear of heights brilliantly with some dizzying, vertiginous camera-work and a mix of foreboding atmosphere with very real, physical danger.
Sadly, this tale of five adventurous friends climbing a path they shouldn’t even start climbing (for safety reasons, at the very least) takes quite a nosedive when the movie adds a much more clichéd baddie than good ol’ gravity.
The acting is all pretty good (and it helps that Fanny Valette is a very attractive young woman, too) from everyone involved, we get to know everyone pretty quickly and join the dots regarding relationships, grievances, etc, and the story IS a decent one that should be gripping enough but things are spoiled by a lack of tension when it should get more gripping and an annoying use of rapid-fire editing just when we could do with more of the same, flowing camera-work we saw during the first half hour or so.
There’s no doubt that Ferry is a capable director, and no doubt that the cast were rather fearless during the making of this film, so it’s even more disappointing to think of what could have been compared to the end result we’re left with. Kudos for a few interesting and unexpected moments dotted here and there but the movie needed a few more to become something good as opposed to merely slightly above average.
Rating: 
