Liam was tremendous in The Hunger Games saga, and now he’s poised to become Netflix’s new darling as he assumes the lead role in the streaming giant’s original series, The Witcher. Despite the pedigree of both actors, Dern and Hemsworth aren’t given many opportunities to bring their respective characters to life. Although they’re well suited to be on-screen eye candy, both characters lack depth and don’t provide much beyond their good looks. Audiences are asked to suspend disbelief as two gorgeous adults fall for one another in the absence of much-needed chemistry.

It’s difficult to pin the film’s issues on the screenplay, considering it was concocted by Susannah Grant herself. Since penning the script for the original animated Pocahontas, Grant has also delivered on 28 Days, Erin Brockovich, Charlotte’s Web, and the hit series Unbelievable. Even Hollywood greats can have tough outings, and Lonely Planet is that for Grant. The script for the movie feels rushed, and the bursts of brilliance Grant is known for are overshadowed by dull scenes and dry dialogue.

Sunny Scenes  

Grant’s directorial debut came in 2006 in the film Catch and Release. Like Lonely Planet,  Catch and Release saw Grant as the writer and director, giving her nearly complete control of the production. Although it was a charming story, fans weren’t thrilled with the movie overall. This latest release is only Grant’s second offering in feature films, which could play a part in how average the cinematography is in Lonely Planet. Destination stories only play well when the audience yearns to be there with the characters and have a good time. Morocco is indeed beautiful, but very few of the shots exploit this fact. Instead, most scenes take place at a resort or in a Moroccan market. This wouldn’t be as noticeable if the on-screen happenings gave audiences enough to occupy themselves, but instead, the production leaves a lot to be desired on nearly all fronts.

It could be that Grant is looking to acquire more directorial experience as she just concluded filming on a TV movie set to release within the year. Fans of hers would like to see her continue to work at her craft as she is such a skillful storyteller who likely has much more to offer screens, both big and small. Some have criticized the story’s feasibility, but the problem with the film’s execution perhaps lies in how ordinary the characters and circumstances are. The dialogue comes across as everyday exchanges rather than drawn up by a world-class writer who has classics to their name.   

Final Rating 

Lonely Planet has appeared in Netflix’s top 10 movies since its debut on the platform. Unfortunately, the movie will likely disappear as quickly as it becomes available, with few viewers being able to recall its details. Studios and streaming platforms can attach all the big names they can to projects, but it’s still important to execute well. 

If you want to judge for yourself, stream Lonely Planet on Netflix today!