Watch Downhill

Downhill is a 2020 American comedy-drama directed by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash. The film stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Will Ferrell, Zach Woods, Miranda Otto, and Zoe Chao, among others. It is a remake of the Swedish film "Force Majeure" by Ruben Östlund. The premise of the film follows Pete (Will Ferrell) and Billie (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a married couple who go on a ski trip to the Alps with their two sons. During their vacation, a controlled avalanche goes awry causing them to panic and question their relationship. Pete runs away, leaving Billie and their children behind, and starts to spiral into emotional turmoil. Billie, in turn, is left to pick up the pieces and reassess their marriage.

Throughout the film, the couple struggles with their communication and the impact of their reactions to the avalanche. They must navigate their doubts and restored faith in their relationship, while at the same time, facing scrutiny from their friends and strangers around them. The audience witnesses as their family dynamics are tested, as humor and tragedy balance throughout the film.

The dynamic between Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell is both comedic and engaging. As characters, they showcase a dynamic that is both realistic and oddly relatable, as their struggles with communication are quite common in today's society. Julia Louis-Dreyfus portrays the role of Billie perfectly, her character trying to make sense of things while Will Ferrell captures the essence of a man trying to maintain his sense of dignity.

Zach Woods' character serves the purpose of the "third wheel." In the film, he and his girlfriend are acquaintances of the couple they meet during their ski adventure. Woods plays his character well, bringing with him subtle humor and a relatable procrastination thread. Miranda Otto takes on the role of a wiser and eccentric hotel owner who continuously offers unsolicited advice to the family.

While the humor in the film provides much-needed relief at certain points in the story, it's the sense of unease that Downhill offers that makes it a captivating watch. The drama element of the film is present at almost all times, and the skiing location in the Alps of Austria offers a stunning backdrop that only intensifies the film's emotions further.

Overall, Downhill is an entertaining and immersive film that allows the audience to experience the familiar nuances of a high-pressure relationship with humor and empathy. It's a relatable story that feels raw and genuine. It touches on the importance of communication in a relationship and the impact our actions can play in situations when we are most vulnerable.

In conclusion, Downhill provides an emotionally driven and reflective examination of the relationship between husband and wife. It highlights how they can weather a storm and ultimately come out stronger. The performances of the actors, the breathtaking scenery, and the touching moral converge to create a memorable viewing experience. It's a movie that balances well between comedy and tragedy, and it's certainly worth watching for anyone who enjoys an intelligent, engaging, and entertaining film.

Downhill is a 2020 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9 and a MetaScore of 49.