Cinephile No. 641 "The Lost City of Z"
"Ambitious Exploration"
A Review of "The Lost City of Z" by Nathan H. Box
Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, Sienna Miller Director: James Gray, Writer: James Gray (Screenplay)
Rating: 4 Stars, SHOWTIME!
In the 1920's, a British explorer by the name of Col. Percival Fawcett disappeared looking for "The Lost City of Z" in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Almost 100 years later, we are treated to a spectacular film detailing his two earliest expeditions, as well as those he left behind, the people who doubted him, and the fire in his belly to do something daring and monumental.
First and foremost, this is an ambitious film. Set over the course of some 25 years, we're offered an opportunity to develop a personal relationship with Col. Fawcett, as well as the men in his command. Films such as these usually try to take on too much in an effort to give us a fully painted canvas. They tend to fail under the weight of their own details. This movie doesn't make that mistake. Instead, every scene seems to be important and is only eclipsed by what happens next.
This movie is also a case study into man's nature. We once looked across the plains of Africa and thought, there must be more. We then looked across oceans and thought, still there must be more. We've stared up at the stars, through the deepest of oceans, travailed canyon, cliff, mountaintop, and the densest of forest all in an effort to satisfy our explorer's heart. In these epic quests, we've lost men, women, families, time, and treasure, still, we push forward because to do otherwise would be against our nature.
There is nothing wrong with curiosity. Our greatest follies and mistakes have been found once we arrived. With us, we've brought disease, slavery, famine, and destruction. We've sat with people from other cultures and disregarded their cherished traditions. Our chase for something new was and is often replaced for a chase of the almighty dollar. "The Lost City of Z" asks us to do something simple; rediscover our sense of wonder but be kind once we arrive.
Be good to each other,
-Nathan
