Jesse Armstrong, creator of the hit HBO series Succession, makes his directorial debut with Mountainhead, a film that explores toxic masculinity and the excesses of wealthy tech bros. While it boasts witty dialogue and standout performances from its lead actors, the movie’s execution feels slapdash and lacks impact.
The story follows four rich friends – Randall (Steve Carell), Jeff (Ramy Youssef), Venis (Cory Michael Smith), and Hugo (Jason Schwartzman) – as they gather at a luxurious mountaintop estate in Utah. Initially, the weekend appears relaxing, but things quickly take a dark turn with global chaos erupting around them.
As their financial empires crumble, the friends look for ways to exploit the situation, including discussing buying Haiti. The film’s downward spiral is exacerbated by dire news alerts and a sudden loss of water, leading the group to retreat to an underground bunker.
The movie’s narrative missteps are mitigated by sharp dialogue and impressive performances from its leads. Armstrong’s writing showcases his talent for witty banter, but the cinematic execution falters in delivering convincing physical comedy. Despite this, the film remains entertaining, if not particularly memorable.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/mountainhead-steve-carell-jesse-armstrong-jason-schwartzman-1236225141