57. The Lost King

 

I was actually disappointed with this film a little bit. Well, not the film itself exactly. But the thought that Coogan and Hawkins' characters were still married and that we were witnessing a loving supportive relationship. That is what was sold to me during the trailers. What I got was actually an estranged couple trying to manage their two households while keeping the peace for their two children. I found myself very disheartened actually. I mean some of the spark came back during the movie and they clearly had some feelings for each other still, but it wasn't enough. I know this movie was based on real events but come on!

I have now idolised Phillipa Langley. I feel the same way about the possibly fictional King Arthur that she (or at least the movie version) felt about King Richard III. The way she rolled up her sleeves and got it done was outstanding, the way she didn't let anyone stand in her way and felt so strongly was beautiful and I think Sally Hawkins was the perfect woman for this job. 

The Lost King pretty much embodies British culture at its fullest. We've got a good percentage of English actors in here that literally pop up on our tellies all the time. We have a good portrayal of the history buffs and the fact they meet in a pub. The cake and tupperware, the am-drams, the visiting the local castles on the way home. It was all so familiar. This film was so quintessentially English that it hurt. This is a feelgood sunday movie on the BBC over the holidays or something. Is it a BFI movie? It feels like a BFI movie. I love it. (Turns out its Pathe which is close enough!)

The story of this movie follows Phillipa Langley. She's your typical mum type, she's being passed over for the younger suck up at her job and her life feels limited. She feels stuck in her life, labelled and somewhat used and abused, passed over and excluded and let's face it we have all been there. She takes her son to see the Shakespeare play Richard III and relates to him on a very personal level. Where everyone else sees a villain she sees a victim, and thus our story of discovery begins.

Phillipa decides to start researching the King, and then her emotional tie to him becomes something a little spiritual. It might be the pressures of her life but she starts to see an apparition of him. So she quits her crappy little job, joins the Richard III society (which after seeing this film I very nearly joined myself) and decides her goal is to find him. The story evolves to show us all the obstacles in her way and how she overcomes them, then as you might have guessed how Phillipa Langley led the search and successfully found King Richard III and had him reinstated as a royal rather than usurper, correcting history once and for all. 

I am in awe of Sally Hawkins as in everything she is in she wears these huge high heels (which are always slightly quirky- I love that) but she never breaks a sweat. I wish I could be that athletic when it comes to shoe fashion but I'd break my neck! She runs in those heels, she climbed a hill in those heels, like come on, have you seen Paddington? Do you know the things she does in heels in that movie?! Astounding!

Harry Lloyd was also a brilliant apparition. Strong, silent, regal. I couldn't have picked a better Richard. I also loved the end scene with the funeral where he turned up as an actor with his little girl. That was the sweetest thing. Also when I decided to google him I found out he is related to Charles Dickens! I am a huge Dicken's fan and this film has so much historically going for it, even down to its cast that it needs to be shown in schools. I think The Lost King should be a staple across our little country and everyone should see it.

Now I watched The Lost King unlimited screening (months ago!) and I was surprised at how many people actually came to see it, I didn't think these types of films were that popular but I am gladly able to say that this seems to be a winner. Watching it a stones throw from my very own local castle as well made it quite special.

I give The Lost King a 7/10. It is witty, emotional, and a feel good film at the end of the day. If you have even a little interest in history then please, please give this movie a go.

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See ya next time!