As a 35-year-old, it’s hard to remember a time when action romantic comedy was not a part of my cinematic zeitgeist. Unfortunately, despite the popularity of this sub-genre, in 2022, it becomes pretty tricky for original blockbusters to shine bright in today’s box-office landscape. The elite juggernauts in the industry revolve around a comic book film or established franchise, which makes Aaron and Adam Nee’s The Lost City a welcomed original blockbuster.
Harking back to the era of Romancing the Stone, The Lost City breathes life into the action rom-com. It is a film that embraces its absurdity and turns into one of the year’s early surprises.
The Lost City follows author Loretta Sage (Sandra Bullock). At the crossroads of her writing career, she releases The Lost City of D, a romance novel that reminds Loretta of what little passion she has left for her franchise and has her second-guessing her career and next steps. In order to promote the novel, she goes on a book tour, where she is subsequently kidnapped by Abigail Fairfax’s goons, who are in search of the actual lost city from Loretta’s novel. The only saving grace for Loretta is the her books’ cover model, Allen, (Channing Tatum) who is on a mission to save her and show her he is more than just easy on the eyes.
When The Lost City is at its best is when Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum share the screen. Oren Uziel, Dana Fox, Adam Nee, and Aaron Nee’s screenplay has a lot of stories. While the script is messy and sloppy at times, Tatum and Bullock understand the assignment and execute it with charisma and energy that make the duo hard to ignore. Their chemistry and performances are a stern reminder of some of the two’s best comedic performances in Miss Congeniality, Two Weeks Notice, 21, and 22 Jump Street.
Supporting Tatum and Bullock are Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Daniel Radcliffe, Academy Award winner Brad Pitt, and Oscar Nunez, who all offer their array of hilarity. Randolph’s comedic chops are on display as Beth, Loretta’s publicist, and is at her best when she ventures off to find Alan and Loretta. Oscar Nunez, who will be familiar to fans of The Office, has some of the funniest moments in the latter half of the film as he aids Beth on her conquest.
Seeing Daniel Radcliffe as the stash-twirling villain was an absolute delight. Radcliffe embraces the villain role and chews scenes as though he’s enjoying a delicious porterhouse steak. Likewise, while Brad Pitt’s role is a glorified extended cameo, Pitt embraces the role and steals every scene he’s in.
Where The Lost City suffers most is in its pacing. Throughout the middle half of the film, Adam and Aaron Nee hang on moments longer than they should, which overstuffs the movie with unnecessary exposition.
The Lost City is a welcomed addition to the action rom-com sub-genre despite its flaws. A film that, if successful at the box office, may lend a hand in the studio’s confidence in green-lighting future non-franchise big-budget blockbusters.
