The Lost City (2022 | US | 112 minutes | Aaron Nee/Adam Nee)
Mourning her husband’s death several years earlier, romance writer Loretta (Sandra Bullock) has lost all sense of inspiration or willingness to create another steamy novel for her fans despite a quickly approaching deadline. Tossing a terrible ending on one final book, she goes on a book tour to satisfy her manager who forces her to share the stage with the overly dramatic and cheeseball model Alan (Channing Tatum) who graces the cover of her books. In love with the limelight and playing the character he embodies, Alan just wants to enjoy their time on the road, but Loretta is determined in her depression.
This is when the story gets a little kooky: in comes the spoiled young millionaire Abigail (Nathanial Radcliffe) who believes Loretta to be the key to finding a long lost treasure. He thinks she’s qualified to translate an ancient script just because her novels included archeological themes. Against her will Abigail whisks her off to a remote South American island to find the treasure. The enigmatic, but mostly useless Alan, decides to save her after witnessing her kidnapping and of course hijinks ensue.
While there was almost zero sexual chemistry between Loretta and Alan (though you were obviously supposed to believe there was), the comedic chemistry between Bullock and Tatum was palpable. Both have an odd knack for being the attractive “straight man”, but at the same time easily use physical comedy to steal the show. Neither one got in the other’s way, each finding moments to be the star and that’s what made the duo so likable and well-suited for this ridiculous adventure.
These days escapism appeals to all of us, but not many have actually be able to act on it yet. Just like Jungle Cruise before it, The Lost City scratches that itch with a constant stream of funny moments to satisfy even the grouchiest of moviegoers. There were more than a couple eye-rolling moments simply because of the absurd premise, overly cartoony fight scenes, and several plot holes that I don’t need to get into. Admittedly Radcliffe plays a pretty good bad guy but he’s just too nice to be truly effective. After seeing him in Miracle Workers and not quite shaking the Harry Potter vibe from any character he portrays (that’s on me, not him) he just doesn’t have that sharp edge he needs to be creepy or mean (unlike Jesse Plemons in the aforementioned Cruise… so creepy).
One last thing I have to mention, the only main character of color was Loretta’s manager Beth Hattan (Da’Vine Joy Randolf). The role was well-performed, but her character and the lines they wrote for her were throwaways. Randolf has a strong personality and great acting chops, so why not use them to your advantage? The only thing I can think of is they didn’t want her outshining the co-stars (and she would have, given the right script). Sassy best friend and wise advice-giver are tired and worn out for POCs, find something better because it’s out there and worth the work to get it on the page.
All in all, I still want to watch it again; not so badly I’ll see it in the theater, but definitely when it comes out on a streaming service. If escapism and laughter is your goal then head to the theater in our freshly re-opened public spaces and enjoy the energy of crowds again, it’s invigorating.
The Lost City arrives in theaters today 3/25/22.