The Loneliest Planet-2011

Director Julia Loktev

Starring Hani Furstenberg, Gael García Bernal

Scott’s Review #131

Reviewed July 24, 2014

Grade: B-

The Loneliest Planet (2011) is an independent film with incredibly gorgeous cinematography of the Georgian landscape (outside Russia), where the entire movie is set.

The story centers around a young couple, Alex (Gael García Bernal) and Nica (Hani Furstenberg), on a backpacking excursion through the mountains.

Their relationship is tested along the way, mainly because of their camping guide, a man who comes between them as the plot unfolds and a romantic triangle begins to emerge.

All three characters are complex, likable at times, and annoying at other times, so that is a satisfying part of the film.

The dynamic between the three individuals is interesting when action happens, which leads to my major gripe with The Loneliest Planet.

The biggest negative is that the story moves at a painfully slow pace, and while I don’t mind slow-moving films, the extremely long sequences of watching the three characters trek across the countryside with backpacks and absolutely no dialogue mean nothing happens.

When the story does develop, the audience empathizes with each character.

The ending is abrupt and ultimately unsatisfying.

As a film with lavish footage of picturesque landscapes, few are fortunate enough to see, I’d give this film a solid A, but for the compelling storytelling, the film is lackluster as a whole.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best Director-Julia Loktev