The title “Lost on a Mountain in Maine” goes on the list with other films like “Death of a Salesman,” and “The Assassination of Trotsky,” in that it gives nothing away and prepares the reader for what lies ahead. However, it is already clear that in the family drama, everything will be alright for 12-years old Donn Fender (Luke David Blumm), the main character. In fact, in the opening scenes of this true-life family drama, secrets are not just whispered, they are thrown out the window as director Andrew Boodhoo Kightlinger and screenwriter Luke Paradise (based on the memoir written by the real-life Donn Fender) as well as the audience know that everything will end happily.
But perhaps it’s for the better: In case you are viewing “Lost on a Mountain in Maine”, if you have children with developing ideals, you will not lose sleep over them getting too traumatized when Donn is depicted trying to fight for his life alone in the bitterly cold wilderness of Northern Maine for nine days without food, water, and proper clothing. Unless, of course, they become so engrossed with the storyline that they forget they already know the conclusion of the story.
Adults may get settled into the relatively rare moments of mediocre tension, and appreciate Idan Menin’s brilliant and beautiful images that certainly increase the effect of the film. It is a big plus that most of the lead role characters have been played well, and it is an even bigger plus that young Blumm is capable of making people care for his character.
Not an easy task, particularly because of how whiny and spoiled brat-like Donn behaves in early parts of the movie. It’s 1939 Newport, Maine, and Donald Fendler (Paul Sparks) his hard-working father shares very little tenderness and love for his son or for any of his other children for that matter as the Great Depression is in its full force. “Everything’s going to hell,” he tells a concerned Ruth (Caitlin FitzGerald), his wife. “The world is not going to give him a break. Likewise, I must not.”
Donn is not in the least surprised when Ross resorts to tough love and decides to scold him over any indiscretion that he sees in him. He is absolutely enraged when Donald who spends most of his time away on work calls the family to announce at a family gathering that he has plans to go on a 2-week fishing trip but now has to cancel the plans because well, his work requires him to be there, otherwise he might get into trouble and the world is in a Depression after all.
At the outset, Donald gives quite an impression that he makes an effort (if there are attempts in the first place) to apologize for the disappointment of failing his children. But, this time round before he leaves, he makes an effort to apologize to Donn and his two brothers for not being around by saying he will take them for a short scenic ride up the Mount Katahdin which is the highest in Maine.
This is what we never want to see.
They have a great deal of anger and resentment 7 days into the mission, when the youngest circumnavigator’s sullen determination allows him to continue advancing up the mountain range, no matter what storms come. It can make sense to stray from the group. Imagine zig-zagging through “100,000 acres of wilderness.” That is probably more cruel than his father would be to him. His parents will not fare better because present circumstance dictates that they are being looked for.
Whatever anger and disappointment Donn expresses as he makes his way through extremely challenging areas, his family who bear the surgical and extreme attention of taking keeps on hoping for the best. But this is not to be expected. Quite the opposite, it is more likely that the outcome will be more horrific than anticipated (what’s the point in hoping for something better?). The documentary clearly portrays the dreadful circumstances under which Donn and his twin brother Billy had to survive with their extended family members. And as Donn’s brother says, “four this time screaming and woeful people: us,” is exactly how they did come to the positive end to that scene.
But maybe the most interesting part of “Lost on a Mountain in Maine” is the question that it raises: Would Donn have been in a position to survive his wilderness encounter had his father been softer on him? At the beginning, Donald cautions his son that, “Once in a while you do not have an option–fight to the death.” Perhaps Donn has taken his dad’s words to heart more than either of them anticipated.
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