Engaging and compelling in its straightforward telling, The Lost King (based on a true story) is an archaeological detective story driven by the curiosity of an ‘ordinary’ everywoman.
A chance attendance at a theatre production of Richard III at a local Edinburgh theatre sees interest in the much maligned king piqued in Philippa Langley (a captivating Sally Hawkins). So much so she joins a local Richard III society which leads her to a conference in Leicester, the believed final resting place of the king killed in the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. Much enquiry from the amateur historian leads to obsession and her raising funds to work in collaboration with the University of Leicester and lecturer Richard Buckley (Mark Addy) to identify its location.
There’s few fireworks from director Stephen Frears. Instead, he offers a flawed but spirited story of one woman’s self-belief and determination to take on the scepticism of the academic experts as they increasingly downplay her achievements.
Rating: 64%
Director: Stephen Frears (Philomena, The Queen)
Writer: Steve Coogan (Philomena, The Parole Officer), Jeff Pope (Philomena, Stan & Ollie) – based on the book by Philippa Langley and Michael Jones
Main cast: Sally Hawkins (Maudie, The Shape of Water), Mark Addy (Downton Abbey, Barney’s Version), Steve Coogan (Philomena, 24 Hour Party People)
An Opinion or Two 