The Lost City
Magnolia Picture’s The Lost City is in theaters at time of writing.
SCREENPLAY: D
Lonely romance novelist Loretta Sage (Sandra Bullock) wants nothing to do with her book tour. Especially with her lovable yet obtuse cover model, Alan (Channing Tatum), tagging along. She gets her wish. She’s kidnapped by an eccentric billionaire in search of untold treasures hidden in the jungle.
The movie’s neither a thriller nor a grim survival tale. It’s a silly story that, predictably, is quite predictable. There are many laughs but little joy. The story feels halfway done, a dish that’s a bit bland and could use a little more spice.
ACTING: C+
Bullock and Tatum put in fine performances. More on them later.
Daniel Radcliffe seems delighted to play a villain. He’s so much more magnetic than anybody else in the movie. He’s having fun. He’s taking it way over the top (the same can be said for Oscar Nunez and Da’Vine Joy Randolph).
Brad Pitt is beyond great. He doesn’t play a grandfather in the film, but his role works a lot like a grandparent who’s asked to watch his grandkids. He doesn’t stay too long. He shows everyone a great time. And when things start to go off the rails, he takes off and leaves the mess for somebody else to clean up. Pitt’s got no heavy lifting to do, no long-term responsibility. He seems to enjoy every minute of it.
CRAFT: B
Soundtrack and costuming are the highlights here. The 80s were a goofy time, and the 80s music reminds us not to take anything too seriously. The costumes are thoughtfully designed. Loretta’s sparkly, purple suit helps draw out her character and moves the plot forward at a crucial point in the jungle. The picture of Channing Tatum’s airplane neck pillow says well over a thousand words about Alan.
CHEMISTRY (Elective Class): D
Bullock and Tatum should have been a phenomenal pairing. They are both beyond charismatic. If I were a movie producer betting millions on an upcoming film’s success, I would have pushed people out of my way to get the chance to make a film with these two. It sounds like a slam dunk. But like they say in sports, “That’s why you play the game.” Sometimes the best teams lose games they should never lose. You can’t just look at two teams on paper and know how things will play out. Apparently, the same goes for massively enjoyable movie stars.
FINAL COMMENTS:
The Lost City would benefit from more joy. My own definition of joy is: fun plus silliness. What dooms this movie for me is the fact that Bullock and Tatum both knock the silliness out of the park, but they strike out on the fun. Everyone else -- Radcliffe, Pitt, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Patti Harrison, and Oscar Nunez -- seem to know they’re in a silly, fun adventure movie. Bullock and Tatum don’t, and it’s mystifying that they don’t.
A lot of people like this film. I didn’t. But if you’re looking for a silly way to spend a couple hours, you’ll find The Lost City hits the spot.