Beyond The Pole (DVD)

Two amiable losers aim to complete the first unassisted, carbon neutral, organic and vegetarian expedition to the Arctic in the British mockumentary, Beyond the Pole. Adapted from a Radio 4 series, while it defies its low budget with convincing location photography (Greenland standing in brilliantly for the frozen wastes), the satirical focus is perhaps overly tentative and wary, akin to walking over a crevasse.

Any issues are though for the most part deflected by two highly enjoyable central performances from Rhys Thomas and Stephen Mangan, British TV veterans who know a thing or two about finding the comedy in drama, and vice versa. The pair make for engaging opposites: Brian (Thomas) is happy with girlfriend Sandra (Rosie Cavaliero) but feels the desire to push himself on one final adventure before settling down. Mark’s (Mangan) great-grandfather on the other hand was an explorer himself, but he remains an insecure individual with an unhappy home-life who appears to be running away from his responsibilities. Accompanied by documentary filmmaker Becky (Helen Baxendale, who also produces), their efforts are traced from bumbling early training to the icy wake-up call of the trek itself.

Making light of a heavy subject (the inexperienced lads make for amusing leads, openly admitting they fancy getting into the Guinness Book of Records), it refreshingly avoids the Greenpeace sermonising that could easily have turned Beyond The Pole into a tract. Instead, it’s more of a personal journey, a likeable tale of two men fleeing the disappointments and anxieties in their lives; ‘Don’t be impotent, be important’ is their slogan. Both Thomas and Mangan are sure-footed in this area, getting the shambling, bromance shtick down to a tee. As their mentality (and friendship) inevitably deteriorates, they’re also able to pull some surprising emotional u-turns that belie their usual light-hearted work.

As for the qualities of the film itself, it’s clearly a personal project for producer Baxendale, but it’s restricted in its complexity, never quite nasty enough for a satire and yet with moments of melodramatic grit late on that appear to belong to a once bolder screenplay. The film never really pierces to the darkness of the concept, instead skipping over any edginess like a stone, and the material is obviously stretched, even at a mere 90 minutes. Yet, with solid support from Cavaliero and Mark Benton (as their mate manning the radio back in Blighty), plus a surprisingly moving final act, it’s not entirely without merit, and there are plenty of gentle laughs (plus some shocks) to be had.

Win a copy of Beyond The Pole in our great competition.

Overall Verdict: Never provocative, but instead a pleasant, moderately gripping watch in that typically British vein celebrating the underdog. The success of Beyond the Pole hinges largely on its two lead performances, yet while they come up trumps, it’s never as memorable or incisive as it should be.

Special Features:
This Morning Interview
On Set
Norwegian Impro
LA Q&A
Trailer
Online Ad
Don’t be Impotent
Brian and Mark Deleted Scenes

Reviewer: Sean Wilson