The Lost City of Z

There are many stories made into films that are based on true incidents that we've heard of and those that haven't made headlines back in the days as much. The last review I wrote on "The Promise" was about a story I knew very little to nothing about, but learned so much. The same can be said for "Hacksaw Ridge" about Desmond Doss. I had never heard of this person until I saw the film. Now we have "The Lost City of Z", again about an explorer I'd never heard of, however learned a text book full.

 

This tells the incredible true story of British explorer Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam), who journeys into the Amazon at the dawn of the 20th century and discovers evidence of a previously unknown advanced civilization that may have once inhabited the region. Despite being ridiculed by the scientific establishment who regard indigenous populations as "savages", the determined Fawcett-- supported by his devoted wife, Nina (Sienna Miller), son, Jack (Tom Holland) and explorer aide, Henry Costin (Robert Pattinson), returns time and again, through the years, to his beloved jungle in an attempt to prove his case, culminating in his mysterious disappearance in 1925.

 

Others to round out the cast are Angus Macfadyen as James Murray, a fellow explorer, Edward Ashley as Arthur Manley, Ian McDiarmid as Sir George Goldie, Clive Francis as Sir John Scott Keltie, Pedro Coello as Tadjui, a guide, Matthew Sunderland as Dan, Johann Myers as Willis, Aleksandar Jovanovic as Urquhart and Elena Solovey as Madame Kumel.

 

This was directed well by James Gray ("Little Odessa" '94, "The Yards" 2000, "We Own the Night" '07, "Two Lovers" '08, "The Immigrant" '13) plus TV and a short. He is certainly distinct in his directing of his actors in that like "We Own the Night", he puts his actors in an underlying intensity that works for his characters. It could be he chooses similar material in which to work from, but it definitely works for him. It was also executed well by writer Gray ("Blood Ties" '13 plus all the other films listed as director.). His writing for the screen was based on David Grann's book. Although this was a 141 minute running time, it actually moved along well. Certainly Hunnam's performance didn't hurt, as the supporting cast as well. There were a couple of slow spots in the story and a couple of places of continuity issues, but considering the running time, I expected much less quality. Gray is a talented writer and this certainly showcases what he can do. With this film behind him, I'm expressly anticipatory of what he will show us next.

 

This kind of reminds me of a fictional character i.e. Indiana Jones verses a real life explorer in a film. So if you like fiction, you'll like this, however, if a story based on a true story, which is being done in a rapid pace these days, this will definitely be the film for you. Either way, you win, and with the beautiful international locales photographed here, this will be a visual feast as well.

 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                    Rated: PG-13                                 141mins.