The Lost City (2022)

Plot of The Lost City: Loretta Sage is a depressed author of chic lit novels, with a background in archaeology. Her husband who had died five years ago, had been an archaeologist. For her latest novel, the Lost City of D she is persuaded by her publisher, Beth Hatton, to go on a book tour with Alan  Caprison, who had been the male model used on the over of her books. After a disastrous initial event Loretta is taken hostage by billionaire Abigail Fairfax who wants her to identify the location of a priceless jewel on a jungle island, now owned by Fairfax. Alan engages specialist Jack Trainer to search for Loretta, and accompanies him to the island following Loretta’s watch. Jack rescues Loretta from Fairfax’s goons. But is shot dead during the escape, leaving Alan and Loretta stumbling through the jungle, but Alan is obviously a bit dim, despite his enthusiasm to keep Loretta safe. She is recaptured by Fairfax, and eventually so is Alan, so what fate awaits them?

Content: No sex or actual nudity, although Loretta is required to remove leeches from Alan’s bum. Loretta is seen drinking wine in the bath as an indication of her depression. Fairfax has a fragment of parchment with an ancient language on it which he requires Loretta to decipher. He had a number of armed thugs as his support. The jungle in which our heroes are lost is particularly lush. Jack Trainer has a very small car which they use until he is shot.  Beth Hatton, the publisher also chases Loretta particularly in an ancient cargo aircraft, and a military craft.

A View: this film was quite well thought of, and probably made money. We were stunned to see Brad Pitt shot dead after only a few minutes on screen. A good move dramatically. As usual there are logistics problems, but we mainly forgive them because we like the characters. I find that I have always enjoyed Sandra Bullock films, whether comedies or dramas, although I don’t know whether it is due to her, or her choices of scripts. This one, a real popcorn film, provides an entertaining couple of hours.

Fun Fact: Sandra Bullock was initially reluctant to take this film on, due it having been in development hell for seven years.