The Lost King

I missed seeing The Lost King when it screened in Brisbane as part of the touring British Film Festival in late 2022. Consequently, I was happy to go along to see this film when it opened in cinemas over Christmas/New Year.

Most trailers for this film don’t do it justice. I expected a light-hearted comedy about a quirky woman who became obsessed with finding the remains of King Richard III, and in the process had hallucinations in which she saw and spoke with the King.  So why did I bother seeing this film? To see the ever-excellent acting of Sally Hawkins, and because I learned that the script was based on a true story (which I deliberately did not look up).

I suspect that the attractions of the film, apart from Sally Hawkin’s superb performance, will be different for each of us. As a retired academic, I came away with a renewed anger at what universities had become since they ceased to predominantly be centres of scholarship and learning and became businesses.

I expect English history buffs to revel in this film while others may have their interests in history and archeology sparked. A particularly noteworthy facet of this film is its treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome and myalgic encephalomyelitis. At the very least this film will serve to educate and dispel myths about sufferers and their condition.

This film epitomises the genre of memorable British storytelling – dramas softened by gentle comedy.

I also acknowledge Steve Coonan, not only for his fine acting in a largely serious role as the ex-husband in a modern caring two-household relationship but also for his co-production of this memorable and meaningful film. The David versus Goliath theme of this movie reminded me of his role in Philomena, a particularly powerful film in which the truth is unearthed in spite of the best efforts of the formidable opposition of the Catholic Church.

Finally, this film applauds the belatedly recognised courage and determination of Phillipa Langley who took on and defeated the authorities in her quest to find the remains of King Richard III.