For all the absurdist laughs (and not a few cringes) both men wring from it, their interplay feels both inherently ridiculous and entirely true to life; a bittersweet bromance writ in whiskey and spandex.

"The Climb" often gets in its own way. Just like its characters don't know when enough is enough, neither does Covino.

It's often quite funny, but it's also sad. It's grounded, but with all these tiny touches of surrealism.

Sometimes, the film is just a little too whimsical, but this is far more thoughtful and probing than most films about m,ale friendship.