Hunnam brings Fawcett's trials and travails to life in 'Z'

Rating: 7/10 (8 October 2017)

Not all period films are created equal, and those that focus on expeditions to uncharted territories are scrutinized even more. Amazon Studios' modest effort 'The Lost City of Z' explored the life of Percy Fawcett, a British colonel who explored the jungles of Amazonia in the early 20th century.
With James Gray at the helm ('We Own the Night,' 'The Immigrant') and Charlie Hunnam in his element as Col. Fawcett, 'Z' is a more of a high-quality biography that focuses on character development than it is an epic blockbuster that is obsessed with special effects and antics found in action films. Following Fawcett's inaugural voyage to South America, it's clear to see the spark of desire to unearth the mystery around the indigenous civilization that inhabited the lost civilization. From this point on, Fawcett's thirst for discovery seems to take over more and more of his life, which takes a toll on his family, including his young children and wife (Sienna Miller).
This personal struggle is one that is constant throughout much of 'Z,' which adds more meaning to the film as opposed to just focusing on the travails in the piranha-infested waters and among the arrow-wielding natives of the Amazon. Of course, the sacrifices Fawcett must make are necessary, but seeing them play such a central part of the film is unique. Another one of the film's strengths is its focus on the politics of the Royal Geographical Society and British society as a whole, as the pressures forced upon Fawcett as a result of the disbelief among those who never set foot in the "lost city," as well as their protests at the insinuation that the civilization could have been "advanced."
Another element that works in 'Z's favor is its smart pacing. Instead of wasting time on the multiple months-long transatlantic voyages, we instead see how Fawcett's life and fortunes turn both at home in the UK and abroad. It's also worth noting that Robert Pattinson's portrayal of Fawcett's sidekick Henry Costin is actually a pretty good performance, suggesting there might be some more niche roles he can play in the future.
'Z' may not have found a strong following at the box office, but the fact that Amazon Studios was able to deliver another quality picture suggests we're in store for even more. It also would not be out of the question for Hunnam to be a dark horse for acting noms come awards season.