Surreal comedy
Sally Hawkins shines in “The Lost King”
Sally Hawkins as Philippa Langley reads everything about Richard III. photo
© Graeme Hunter/X Verleih /dpa
In 2012 the remains of Richard III were discovered. rediscovered under a parking lot: How this came about is told in a fantastically cast feature film directed virtuously by Stephen Frears.
Sometimes life writes the craziest stories. And not fiction. What the wonderful, the rousing Sally Hawkins (“Maudie”) as an amateur historian in this film is exciting and entertaining – and sounds like it was made up: Why should the missing bones of Richard III. of all places, under a parking lot? Why should the experts believe an amateur archaeologist who sometimes talks to herself?
After their success ten years ago, “Philomena”, director Stephen Frears (“The Queen”) and Steve Coogan (script and actor) have teamed up again for this British production based on true events.
Philippa Langley (Hawkins), who really exists, doesn’t have it easy: a lot of things aren’t right at home with her caring mother. Progress at work is slow, if at all. A little distraction comes in handy: After a visit to the theater, Philippa develops an obsession with King Richard III: her goal is to find his missing remains. She also doesn’t want to believe that the monarch was actually as despicable a person as Shakespeare portrays him in his famous play.
Philippa shows bite
Philippa not only follows her intuition, she even takes on highly renowned historians. Whether from archaeologists or her husband, the amateur historian initially encounters one thing in particular: head-shaking astonishment. However, Philippa cannot be dissuaded.
Sally Hawkins, learned to appreciate her in Mike Leigh’s “Happy-Go-Lucky” in 2008, is wonderful in this amazing story. 15 years ago she was completely absorbed in the role of a 30-year-old teacher – now she is completely absorbed in her portrayal of a 45-year-old who is somehow stuck between two chairs: no longer young, not yet old. Philippa has just been ignored for a promotion and her husband is meeting other women. You want to warm Hawkins’ hearts and even shake them, her Philippa in “Lost King” is so touching and crazy. When she explains to the unfriendly bookseller with a thin smile that she really has all the eight books on Richard III in stock. in the shop, it’s just as lovely as the scene in which she tells the bewildered Leicester City Council about her plans to dig in a car park.
More than a retelling
You also have to pay respect to the direction and the script: how they both manage to make “The Lost King” much more than just a retelling of an event, albeit an incredible one, is great. What we see, what we are allowed to enjoy, is an unlikely and yet functioning melange of drama, midlife crisis, marriage play, archeology crime thriller and surreal comedy.
At the end of this stirring film we read: “As of 2018, the royal family website mentions Richard III as the rightful king of England for the years 1483-85. This is thanks to a long campaign inspired by Philippa.” And we also have to thank you: for one of the fastest, one of the most exciting cinema films of this autumn season. Philippa Langley was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Queen Elizabeth in 2015. Sally Hawkins also deserves a badge of honor for her so committed, so moving portrayal of an obviously assertive and quite strong woman.
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