The Lost City

Directed by brothers Aaron and Adam Nee, The Lost City is an old school romantic adventure, harking back to films like Romancing the Stone. Sandra Bullock is Loretta a novelist who writes “schlocky” romantic novels based on the adventures of her hero Dash, embodied in real life by model Alan (Channing Tatum). But Loretta has had enough of writing and is heading out on one last book tour. However, rather than a tour she finds herself kidnapped by Daniel Radcliffe’s Abigail Fairfax, a wealthy eccentric who has realised that in the pages of her books are clues to a real treasure and she is going to help him find them. He then flies them off to a remote island which holds the fabulous treasure. This is the chance for Alan to prove he’s a real life hero and with the help of Jack Trainer (Brad Pitt) he heads off on his own adventure to rescue the girl and find the treasure.

The Lost City is very much what it says on the tin. It’s a light hearted, thinly plotted romantic adventure, that survives purely on the excellent casting of its two leads, who are helped by Daniel Radcliffe, who delivers that quirky performance he does better than pretty much anyone.

The film plays perfectly to the strength of those leads. Bullock at her best playing the smart, slightly neurotic woman who lacks confidence and struggles to find happiness. Tatum doing what he does, the charming good-looking guy, who is so much more than his shiny veener, he is sensitive, self aware and good hearted.

It is the their charm and engaging personality that allows The Lost City to get away with its paper thin plot and rather dull and predictable story. But that doesn’t matter thanks to the humour in the script and charm in the performances. The supporting cast all add to the whole, Pitt, Oscar Nunez and Da’vine Joy Randolph particularly.

The Lost City won’t rock anyone’s world, but it is a charming and fun diversion, carried by its two leads. Proving that there is still life in the star powered vehicle after all. A treasure worth risking your life for? Maybe not, but if you stumble across it, you’ll enjoy its shiny fun.