It's remarkable how few films really explore friendship, given its significance, and maybe that’s because capturing that dynamic on screen can be a real challenge. This film, intended as an expansive story unfolding against the backdrop of Italy and Nepal, seems to stumble with that very issue. Directors Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch tackle themes of lifelong connection and personal growth by portraying two childhood companions (Luca Martinelli, Alessandro Borghi) across four decades. The problem is that the movie tries to encompass too much territory without a clear sense of direction, leading to a narrative that feels confusing, slow-moving, and often uninteresting. The filmmakers attempt to compensate for this flaw with striking visuals; the cinematography is so beautiful it almost makes sitting through the film worthwhile. However, the lack of focus, the sluggish rhythm, and what seems like unnecessary additions ultimately can’t be overcome by the pretty pictures. What's more, the actors don’t always seem believable as close friends, leaving you unsure about the true nature of their bond – or even wondering if there might be something else going on between them. The movie does pick up a bit later in its running time, but so much has happened before that it’s hard to get excited about what's unfolding. Despite an apparent attempt at a hopeful conclusion, a pervasive sadness lingers throughout the film, and the filmmakers try to mask this with a feeling of forced grandeur that doesn’t quite manage to elicit any real emotional response from viewers. While friendship is certainly worthy of more cinematic attention, this isn’t the right approach.

Source on TMDB