The lost king Movie review 2023
"An Unlikely Duo Embarks on a Hilarious and Heartfelt Journey of Self-Discovery"
The story of Philippa Langley’s quest to find Richard III’s remains is one of the most fascinating tales of modern historical detective work. Director Stephen Frears’ “The Lost King” tells her story, based on Langley's book “The Search for Richard III,” with Sally Hawkins in the lead role. Langley, not a historian or academic, stumbled upon a pamphlet inviting her to join the Richard III Society, which sought to change the much-maligned monarch's historical legacy. Intrigued, she attended her first meeting held in the back of a pub and became involved in a lifelong passion for uncovering the truth about the last Plantagenet king.
The Ricardians, as the Society calls themselves, have always disputed the notion that Richard's body was dumped into a river following the battle on Bosworth field. Instead, they aim to correct the historical record and rehabilitate Richard's reputation. Shakespeare’s interpretation of the “usurper” as a cartoonish villain has been the predominant narrative since Richard's death, but the Ricardians have receipts to refute that narrative. For instance, the city of York's response to news of Richard's death was a somber reflection on the tragedy of a merciful monarch slain by treason.
Langley, using medieval maps and burial accounts from those present in 1485, conducted her own investigation into Richard III’s final resting place. Against all odds, on the very first day of the excavation, the team found the King's intact skeleton in a Leicester car park. Richard III's remains were instantly recognizable due to his scoliosis-curved spine and fatal head wound.
“The Lost King” covers Langley's journey with a focus on the emotional drama of her personal quest to uncover the truth. The film personalizes the story, adding whimsical elements and a passionate engagement with history, making it more relatable to audiences. However, the film's heightened emotional aspect, complete with Richard III himself appearing in a flowing purple cape and golden crown, detracts from the inherent interest of the 500-year-old mystery. Furthermore, Langley's own family is portrayed as somewhat skeptical of her sanity as she uncovers clues that lead to the discovery of Richard III's remains.
Despite the personalization of the story, “The Lost King” fails to show the viewer what convinced Langley that the established narrative was incorrect. She conducts extensive research, reaches out to an archaeologist, and makes appeals for funding. Signs, such as a huge letter "R" appearing in the car park, and a gut feeling play a role in her investigation. Still, the legwork done by all involved, reading between the lines of highly biased historical records to approximate what happened, is equally impressive.
“The Dig,” a similar true story, also showcases a woman's passion for history and the legwork required to make significant archaeological discoveries. However, unlike “The Lost King,” it keeps its focus on the dig itself, the research, and the knowledge required to make such discoveries. “The Dig” shows that the hard work, not apparitions of wandering Anglo-Saxons beseeching Edith to tell their story, is the key to uncovering history's mysteries.
“The Lost King” portrays Langley's passion for history as a love affair with Richard III, an unnecessary emotional embellishment. Sally Hawkins plays Philippa on the trembling edge of tragic romance, and Alexandre Desplat's score heightens the emotional drama. Langley's journey to uncover the truth about Richard III's death is exciting enough without the extra dramatization.
In conclusion, “The Lost King” tells an incredible story of a private citizen’s determination to uncover the truth about Richard III's death. The film's personalization of the story, though it detracts from the inherent interest.
Title: the lost king
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Suggestive References|Some Strong Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Director: Stephen Frears
Producers: Steve Coogan, Christine Langan, Dan Winch, Wendy Griffin
Writers: Steve Coogan, Jeff Pope
Release Date (Theaters): March 24, 2023 (Limited)
Release Date (Streaming): May 9, 2023
Box Office (Gross USA): $516.5K
Runtime: 1 hour and 49 minutes
Distributor: IFC Films
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
About the Creator
Kiruthigaran Mohan
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