Colorado 2005  

BY ROGER EBERT / March 14, 2005

The thing that struck me first about "Colorado 2005" was the gap between its humdrum and prosaic title (misleadingly, it sounds like a mere vacation video title) and its actual substance:  knife-edge sharp comedy, stunning cinematography, and tightly creative editing all of which combine to put this film at the confluence of excellence in many cinematic disciplines.

Cast & Credits Ed: Ed Gray Linda: Linda Gray Maise: Marieluise Riegel Kurt: Kurt Riegel Crosswinds Film Studios presents a film directed by Ed Gray Written & Edited by Ed & Linda Gray (Unrated, for general audiences. Warning: mature sports displays and wry humor.)

Fighting my way through throngs of would-be viewers, I scored a seat for myself at the prestigious Sunglance Film Festival near Annapolis.  Filmgoers of all ages will be enthralled, as I was, wishing beyond all hope when the film ended that it might be made to go on, and on.  One simply cannot get too much of perfection.

Set in the environs of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, the film takes the viewer on a thrilling  tour of ski slopes ranging from Snowmass to Buttermilk, Vail, Aspen and Sunlight.  Fantastic displays of skiing excellence are on show throughout the film, except for the comic relief provided by one character (Kurt) who clearly cannot ski his way out of a paper bag.  His ineptitude served mainly to emphasize by contrast the exceptional skills of all the other actors.

This opus is visually brilliant, tells a compelling story with occasional touches of light humor, all on a current of subtle symbolism that some viewers may be unable to detect.  Such is the power of great art.  It can be viewed and enjoyed by all, including not only the superficial and ill-informed but also the educated and sophisticated.

This reviewer cannot but help to award his maximum rating, 5 stars, to this film.  One can predict not only wide audience enthusiasm, but a series of sequels attempting to recapture this film's excellence.  It is hard to see how such a thing is possible, but I encourage the director to try.  As soon as possible.