THE CLIMB (Michael Angelo Covino 2019)

[Chris Knipp]

KYLE AND MIKE TALK TO JUDD


COVINO & MARVIN TALKING TO JUDD APATOW ON ZOOM

I'd like to call people's attention to a great Zoom conversation, available on YouTube, that took place on Nov. 14, 2020 between Kyle Marvin and Mike Covino, on the one hand and in one Zoom box, and Judd Apatow (at home in L.A.) on the other, at home in Los Angeles and in the other Zoom box. This conversation between filmmakers and old and new masters of male American comedy tells a lot about THE CLIMB, which remains my favorite movie of the year.

Watching this conversation live by invitation and RSVP, I learned a lot in an intimate setting about how the film was made, particularly the lengths they went to, like Kyle diving under ice into a freezing lake, a very risky and challenging maneuver done without a double, and his gaining and losing thirty pounds during the shoot while playing the second lead role. Also the advantages of the long takes, why the musical interludes between chapters, types of cameras and shots used, influences. And of course about male bonding and longtime friendship. There were not many questions and they answered mine (submitted by Zoom CHAT), their French influences. If you like the film, this will be very relevant.

HERE

Watsh also a Q&A at AFI, which tells even more about the frozen lake dive sequence, which skirted on the edge of mortal danger.

AVI