While watching director John Dower’s documentary “The Balloonists,” I found myself wondering internally why anyone would actually attempt to float around the world in a balloon. These explorers and dreamers are built from a different cloth, and their stories make for an interesting film.
The documentary tells the story of Bertrand Piccard, a Swiss explorer who became obsessed with being the first to circle the globe in a balloon. This isn’t some quaint Jules Verne fantasy, but a seriously dangerous challenge where failure is the norm and crashing in the wrong place on Earth would mean certain death. Despite multiple setbacks, Bertrand couldn’t let his dream go.
What makes the film work is Bertrand himself. He’s a natural storyteller who is funny, passionate, and just egotistical enough to be entertaining without being unbearable. The film wisely lets him tell his story in his own words, and he’s a character you actually want to listen to. Bertrand’s reputation for being a “diva” comes through, but so does his determination and charm.
The documentary spends more time on the human drama than the technical side of ballooning, though Dower includes some details about weather tracking, route planning, and the geopolitical headaches of crossing no-fly zones. The archival footage from the 1990s really puts you in the middle of the chaos (there’s Richard Branson crashing and burning, storms tearing balloons apart, and competitors risking their lives for bragging rights).
The emotional core of the film comes from Bertrand teaming up with Brian Jones, a no-nonsense English pilot who balances Bertrand’s flair with steady competence. They’re an odd couple, but that’s what makes their partnership work. Jones’ wife Joanna (normally his co-pilot) stays behind on her husband’s latest quest and joins the ground crew. There’s a lot of weight from her point of view, especially as she watches from afar as her husband disappears into the sky not knowing if he’ll come back. These moments add a lot to the already dramatic story.
Even though history has already been written and we know how the story ends, the suspense is real. Every storm, every malfunction, every shaky transmission feels like it could be the last. This film reminds me a lot of “Man on Wire,” where the outcome isn’t the point so much as the sheer audacity of the dream.
Part adventure story and part character study, “The Balloonists” is a gripping, entertaining documentary about obsession, risk, and the human desire to do the impossible.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 