64
Metascore
32 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 80VarietyOwen GleibermanVarietyOwen GleibermanA richer, stronger, and more moving piece of work [than Philomena], a historical detective story that carries the kick of a true-life “Da Vinci Code.”
- 75TheWrapCarlos AguilarTheWrapCarlos AguilarWhat prevents this life-affirming account from turning boringly saccharine is the caliber of humanity that Hawkins lends Philippa.
- One lovely wisp of a movie. ... Offers few surprises but plenty of comfort.
- 67ColliderRoss BonaimeColliderRoss BonaimeLike so many of Frears’ films, The Lost King works because of the compelling cast on hand.
- 60The TelegraphRobbie CollinThe TelegraphRobbie CollinFlawed but compelling ... [A] hallucinatory gimmick feels a few rewrites away from working smoothly, and the thematic linking of Philippa’s plight with that of her subject’s never quite convinces. But Hawkins is quietly impressive.
- 60EmpireJohn NugentEmpireJohn NugentWarmly funny and historically curious, Sally Hawkins’ spirited, humane performance helps overcome a slight lack of dramatic tension.
- 58IndieWireKate ErblandIndieWireKate ErblandBy its final act ... “The Lost King” picks up enough steam ... yet even this last 40 or so minutes highlights how plodding the rest of the film is, how dull this story about literal grave-digging feels, when nothing less than elemental truth and a singular mission in life are reduced to, well, just a story, and not even an altogether real one at that.
- 58The PlaylistGregory EllwoodThe PlaylistGregory EllwoodIn a vacuum, Langley’s true story is quite remarkable, but sadly, the elements don’t truly come together in this somewhat by-the-numbers film.
- 40The GuardianPeter BradshawThe GuardianPeter BradshawIt’s a fascinating story but the resulting film insists on a kooky relatability that isn’t really there. A misfire.