Vet Brit director Stephen Frears made The Lost King, written by Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope, based on Philippa Langley and Michael Jones’s 2013 book, “The King’s Grave: The Search for Richard III.”
Grade: B- (** 1/2* out of *****)
The heroine of this dramatic biopic, well played by Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins, is Philippa Langley, a determined woman who initiated the search for King Richard III’s remains under a car park in Leicester,
Living in Edinburgh, Philippa Langley loses a promotion to another woman, who is less experienced but better-looking. She unsuccessfully confronts her male boss about being passed over, claiming that her myalgic encephalomyelitis (or “ME”) has never affected her work.
The tale begins when Philippa attends the play “Richard III,” which makes her feel that he was unfairly maligned as a hunchback, a child killer, and a usurper.
Soon after, she starts having visions of Richard, and decides to join the local Richard III Society whose members believe he was unfairly vilified by Tudor propagandists.
Philippa stops going to work, manages her ME with medication, and begins talking to her Richard III apparition.
Her research suggests that he was buried in 1485 in the Leicester Greyfriars priory choir area, while others say his body was thrown into the River Soar.
After Greyfriars was demolished in the 1530s Reformation, Leicester mayor Robert Herrick had a shrine built, saying “Here lies the body of Richard III, sometime king of England.”
Harry Lloyd plays King Richard III, and as Pete, an actor who plays the lead in a performance of Richard III attended by Langley. Richard III speaks to Philippa throughout the saga, although his final appearance is at the re-burial ceremony as the actor with his little daughter.
Steve Coogan is credible as the estranged husband of Langley, who later supports her quest and reconciles with her by moving back in with the family.
Philippa Langley makes a cameo appearance at the end of the film as Woman Attending the Re-Burial of Richard III (uncredited).
According to the closing credits, the royal family’s website has reinstated Richard as the rightful King of England 1483–1485, so that he is no longer regarded as a usurper.
Premiering at the 2022 Toronto Film Fest, the movie received mixed reviews, and was later criticized by some critics for its lack of authentic details.
Sharply uneven, the tale unfolds as a series of adventures–steps and missteps–some more intriguing than others, like the poignant scene that targets academic arrogance. However, as a whole, The Lost King leaves much to be desired as to qualify as an entertaining historical adventure.
