#REVIEW: “THE LOST CITY OF Z”

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

James Gray delivers another incredible entry into his Filmography in The Lost City of Z (Two Lovers, We Own the Night). The Lost City of Z, based on a New York Times Article expanded into a Novel by David Grann, takes place over several years.

We follow Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam) and his team co-led by Henry Costin (Robert Pattinson) throughout the Amazonian jungle in the 1920s on a discovery mission to find the ‘lost city’, an indigenous city that he claimed existed in the jungle of the Mato Grosso region of Brazil. On their first exploration, Percy discovered some relics that made his journey that much more meaningful on his adventure to find the so called lost city, as each adventure he grew older the journey became tougher until he had to plead with his wife, Nina (Sienna Miller) to allow their son Jack (Tom Holland) to accompany him in hopefully discovering the lost city.

What makes this Film powerful is its moving performances. Hunnam truly devolves into Percy and the audience will not find it hard at all to connect with him on his inspiring journey which spans some twenty years, including many tough failures. As well,  Pattinson  is unrecognizable for part of the Movie as well, delivering a strong performance which further solidifies his standing as a true working actor. While appearing only in limited doses, Miller and Holland make the best of it and make their presence felt. Miller as a devoted mother and a worried wife, travels to the Amazon to find the lost city to which her husband has devoted his entire life. Holland who wants much to earn the respect of his father Percy, volunteers to accompany him on his last journey in the spirit of forgiveness after feeling abandoned for much of his childhood by him.   This provides much of the heart of the Film.

Gray does a fantastic job of weaving this story together and even though it lags at moments, it truly is rewarding ultimately.  The Lost City of Z is the perfect escape and its performances will not be forgotten.

Elevation Pictures release THE LOST CITY OF Z in theatres on Friday, April 21, 2017.