Romancing the City

The Lost City (2022) looked like a lot of fun - just like Romancing the Stone was. 

We meet romance author Sandra Bullock moping around her apartment, mourning her dead archeologist husband, trying to finish her latest. Her editor, Da'Vine Joy Randolph keeps bugging her, reminding her that they need the book because there's a big tour planned. So she just sort of types: "They kissed. The End."

Later, at a Romance Con, Bullock is forced into a purple sequined jumpsuit and thrust on stage for an interview with her cover model, Channing Tatum. Tatum is completely gung-ho about the series "he" (the character who he plays on the book covers) co-stars in and the genius of Bullock. She, on the other hand, is dismissive of him, her works, the whole scene. She finally gets offstage, goes outside and is kidnapped and brought to the island of the McGuffin.

Her abductor turns out to be billionaire Daniel Radcliffe, who wants her help finding a historic McGuffin on the lost city in her book. She claims it's fictional, but he knows she borrowed the story from her dead husband's research. 

Meanwhile, Tatum and Randolph suspect foul play. Tatum met a guy at a meditation retreat who handles this kind of situation. He's a physical trainer named Trainer, and he's played by Brad Pitt. They follow her cell phone signal to the island. Pitt is a shrewd tough ex-SEAL, and Tatum is tagging along because he thinks he is, too - although he knows deep down he only plays one on romance novel covers.

So we have Bullock. still in her sequined jumpsuit, tied to a chair. She gets rescued, but they don't have time to untie her, so they load her in a wheelbarrow. And the chase is on.

This is a silly movie and, to me, a lot of fun. Of course, the best parts are the cast: America's sweetheart Sandra Bullock, Tatum, America's favorite male stripper (or is that McConaughey? Haven't seen it), Brad Pitt in a small role, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph in full kick-ass mode. Special props to Radcliffe, (Switzerland's favorite corpse?) as villain, a role he excels in. The writing is fine, and in some places, hilarious. I have no problem with it ripping off Romancing the Stone - I want more movies like that. Romance, action, comedy - what's not to like?