Interesting story of grim determination...

Rating: 6/10 (3 April 2020)

This is a slow burn, but worth the effort of sticking with as Charlie Hunnam takes on the role of real-life explorer Col. Percy Fawcett; who is initially charged with sorting out a tiresome border dispute between the colonial powers in Bolivia. Accompanied by his aide - Henry Costin (Robert Pattinson) they set off and battle exhaustion, disease, heat and natives on their quest. They also, surprisingly, discover evidence of a civilisation so vow to return - better equipped, and despite the concerns of Fawcett's wife (a somewhat stoically resigned Sienna Miller) - to find the source of these artefacts. Despite their best efforts, again the elements defeat them; then WWI intervenes before, finally - and this time with the support of his son Jack (Tom Holland) they go back for a final attempt. We know not what happened to them all so the narrative is somewhat speculative, especially at the end, but it does build a clear picture of the grim determination of the man; clearly inherited by his son, to seek out "Z". It is too long, there is a repetitive element to the search/retreat/search again structure of James Gray's film that does lead to bouts on ennui at times; the photography is beautiful and conveys the relentlessness of the unforgiving forest - but just a bit too often. That said, though, this is a fine piece of acting from Hunnam showing that he is not just an handsome lad with limited scope.