By Emilio Frenk.
Director: James Gray
Cast: Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, Sienna Miller, Tom Holland, Edward Ashley, Ian McDiarmid and Franco Nero.
Rating: Excellent.
James Gray, director of “The Yards” and “We Own The Night” brings “The Lost City of Z” and indeed this a worth movie to watch.
Based on true events the movie tells the story of British Explorer Col. Percival Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam) who embarks to a mission of finding a mysterious city in the jungles of South America.
He will be joined by Henry Costin (Robert Pattinson), Arthur Manley (Edward Ashley) and later on by his son Jack (Tom Holland).
Eventually the quest will become an obsession for Fawcett that not only will bring him consequences to him and his family but also will lead to his disappearance.
“The Lost City of Z” is a movie that combines both drama and thriller in an interesting way and James Gray achieved that with his smart directing.
The movie was shot completely in film and most of it in Colombia and Gray knew how to capture the moments of both drama and thriller.
Gray adapted the book by David Grann as realistic as possible in a well crafted screenplay that not only has interesting dialogue but Gray knew how to play with the progressive complications with his characters specially Percival Fawcett´s.
I was blown away with the cinematography of the film by Darius Khondji, which credits include “Se7en”, “Amour”, “Midnight in Paris” and many others. The lighting and the way how he played with the contrasts of the characters was really interesting and when I was watching the movie I had the sensation of enjoying a painting.
On the other hand there were scenes of the film that were not necessary but I understand why James Gray wanted to have them since he wanted to make the movie as realistic as possible. Still I do believe if the length of the film would have been shorter it would still be an amazing film. To be exact some of the scenes happened during the second act of the film.
Charlie Hunnam´s performance is so far the best I have seen in his career. His portrayal as Fawcett is played with so much realism and truth that you immediately feel a connection with his character.
Also I have to mention that this is so far the most ambitious film in James Gray´s career but he knew how to capture every single detail and without a doubt he directed a winner.
With that being said “The Lost City of Z” is one of the best films of this year and I give a huge recommendation to it.