Drama
United States of America
East of the Mountains is a movie adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name by David Guterson. In the movie, Tom Skerritt plays the role of Ben Givens, a retired heart surgeon who lives with his wife in Seattle. When Ben is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he decides to take his dog, King, on a trip to his boyhood home in Eastern Washington.
As Ben journeys east, he remembers his past and comes to terms with his imminent death. Along the way, he meets a young man named Chris (played by Mira Sorvino's son, Matteo Swan), who offers to help Ben with his journey. Chris has his own reasons for wanting to help Ben, and the two of them develop a strong bond as they travel together.
Throughout the movie, Ben struggles with the decision to end his life on his own terms. He has always been a man of great integrity and strength, and he believes that taking his own life is the only way to maintain his dignity and avoid becoming a burden to his loved ones. However, as he travels east and faces unexpected challenges, Ben begins to see things differently.
Ultimately, East of the Mountains is a moving story about love, loss, and the power of human connection. The movie was directed by S.J. Chiro and premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival in 2021.
