Spontaneous pilot Amelia Wren (Felicity Jones) and prudent meteorologist James Glaisher (Eddie Redmayne, MVFF Award 2014) rise to new heights in this entrancing tale of a 19th-century hot air balloon expedition from British director-on-the-rise Tom Harper (Wild Rose). Five years after The Theory of Everything (MVFF 2014), reunited stars Jones and Redmayne reignite their winning chemistry. As tumultuous natural elements creep in, their witty quips and sly judgments pave way to a sincere compassionate connection. Stunning visual effects work as a lush backdrop to their delicate dance—the scenic mastery culminating in daring stunts, rich spectacle, and pure wonderment of Wren and Glaisher. Their struggles, told through heartbreaking flashbacks, and a mutual reverence for the unexplored allow them to bridge their differences and work together to survive the journey. The restricted balloon basket is the primary setting, but the story never seems contained; rather, Harper’s expansive story affirms the radical possibilities of joyful exploration.