The Lost City of Z (2017)

Streaming Service: Amazon Prime

Movie Name/Year: The Lost City of Z (2017)

Genre: Adventure, Biography, Drama, History

Length:  140 minutes

Rating: PG-13

Production/Distribution: Keep Your Head, MICA Entertainment, MadRiver Pictures, Plan B Entertainment, Amazon Studios, Ascot Elite Entertainment Group, Bleecker Street Media, Cathay-Keris Films, Cinecolor Films, Colossal Mega Films, Culture Publishers, Latam Pictures, Leone Film Group, NOS Audiovisuais, Sabay MVP, Spentzos Films, StudioCanal, The Searchers, Arthaus, Batrax Entertainment, Broad Green Pictures, Film & TV House, Film1, GEM Entertainment, IPA Asia Pacific, KVH Media Group, Mis. Label,  Telia, Yleisradio

Director: James Gray

Writers: James Gray, David Grann

Actors: Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, Sienna Miller, Tom Holland, Edward Ashley, Angus Macfadyen, Ian McDiarmid, Clive Francis, Pedro Coello, Matthew Sunderland, Johann Myers, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Elena Solovey

Blurb from IMDb: A true-life drama, centering on British explorer Major Percival Fawcett, who disappeared whilst searching for a mysterious city in the Amazon in the 1920s.

Cat’s Point of View:

I was really excited when we came across the trailer for The Lost City of Z among those that were in consideration for 2017s April Top 20 list. While this movie didn’t make the cut for Selina’s list, it was my #8.

Aside from the noteworthy cast, I compared the film to some of the great adventure film noir of yesteryear. This certainly wasn’t on the same level as The African Queen (1951), but it did deliver as an in-color period piece.

With the consideration that this movie is a biopic about an actual British explorer, I’d have to say that it was certainly successful in illustrating the drive, and near obsession, of Fawcett in his search for the lost Amazonian civilizations. The challenges of such expeditions were well depicted, and drew me in to investing in the goals and well-being of the explorer and his companions.

Currently, it seems like everyone’s friendly neighborhood Tom Holland (In the Heart of the Sea, Avengers: Endgame, Spies in Disguise) is everywhere. When not web-slinging, he’s been in a number of voice parts of late. Here in The Lost City of Z, we find a slightly younger Holland as the older iteration of Fawcett’s first-born son. I believe he suited the part well.

Another surprisingly good supporting role belonged to Robert Pattinson (Water for Elephants, Good Time, The King) as Henry Costin. I’ll admit I’m not innocent of giving Pattinson grief over one of his most notable former roles in a fictional saga. Sometimes it seems like the poor guy can’t catch a break in that regard. His performance here, however, is rather riveting.

If I had to pick the one thing that took away from the overall experience for me, it would be the pacing and length of the movie. Even though the story is interesting, it just seemed too drawn out and I felt the entire two hours and twenty minutes passing. The consolation, of course, is that I don’t feel that it was time poorly spent.

I’d certainly have no problem recommending this film for anyone that enjoys a good historical drama. Though, The Lost City of Z is likely not one I’d return to for multiple viewings – even as a die-hard fan of Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy, Triple Frontier, The Gentlemen).

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 86%

Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 57%

Metascore – 78/100

Metacritic User Score – 7.0/10

IMDB Score – 6.6/10

CinemaScore – None

Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 3.5/5

Movie Trailer: