52 recensioni
Harrelson directs and stars in this experimental film where the whole thing was shot live in one night and screened into cinemas. The story, such as it is, features Harrelson playing 'himself' falling out with his wife and get into various mishaps as he tries to get back to her.
As a film, it's pretty slight, although Harrelson is very good as the witty, lost, selfish and naive film star lost in the big city. There are some fun scenes and some dull bits - Harrelson's row with Owen Wilson where they rip each other's films apart is wonderful. All this though takes a back seat to appreciating the quite incredible skills in pulling this together, as far as I can tell, without a mistake, whilst keeping pace and solid performances going.
As a film, it's pretty slight, although Harrelson is very good as the witty, lost, selfish and naive film star lost in the big city. There are some fun scenes and some dull bits - Harrelson's row with Owen Wilson where they rip each other's films apart is wonderful. All this though takes a back seat to appreciating the quite incredible skills in pulling this together, as far as I can tell, without a mistake, whilst keeping pace and solid performances going.
Premiering via a live broadcast as it happened/was filmed way back in 2017, Woody Harrelson's ambitious directional debut Lost in London is now available to rent through YouTube here in Australia and deciding whether or not its worth your time will depend purely on what you are watching it for, for as a narrative film this is a film lacking in much goodness but as a unique experience and technical feat its highly commendable.
Based in parts around Harrelson's own experiences in the early 2000's, Lost sees the well-liked actor facing pressure in his personal life after a series of wrong decisions leads him to be appearing in tabloid publications across the nation and battling to ensure he doesn't lose all he holds dear in his life.
Filmed astoundingly in one take by Harrelson's D.O.P Nigel Willoughby and at the time screened live as it was being shot, with Harrelson looking to merge the cinematic and theatrical in a combined package, Lost constantly impresses as you witness the craft and care that must have gone into getting the film to a reality but you can't help but feel the very bare bones story and only mildly funny material at hand needed some more refinement to make Lost a truly well-rounded feature.
Always likable, Harrelson is his typically game self and has a lot of fun bantering with the likes of Owen Wilson and singing Cheers theme songs to confused security guards on his way around London this fateful night but the core storyline and delivery of some supposedly comedic moments like a U2 loving cop or an Arabian prince whose a big fan of Woody's never really gel together and you get a feeling that if the film had been delivered in a typical production sense jokes would've landed smoother and more time could've been given to areas that would've smoothed the boring components of the film out.
As it stands, Lost is an impressive feat in so many ways and its great to see the likes of Harrelson jump behind the camera and try for something special straight off the bat but Lost is only ever moderately entertaining as its generic and so-so story goes through the motions.
Final Say -
A must-watch for Woody fans and a nice novelty feature in conception and delivery, Lost in London is let down by mid-tier material and a mostly unengaging plot.
2 1/2 Bono phone calls out of 5
Based in parts around Harrelson's own experiences in the early 2000's, Lost sees the well-liked actor facing pressure in his personal life after a series of wrong decisions leads him to be appearing in tabloid publications across the nation and battling to ensure he doesn't lose all he holds dear in his life.
Filmed astoundingly in one take by Harrelson's D.O.P Nigel Willoughby and at the time screened live as it was being shot, with Harrelson looking to merge the cinematic and theatrical in a combined package, Lost constantly impresses as you witness the craft and care that must have gone into getting the film to a reality but you can't help but feel the very bare bones story and only mildly funny material at hand needed some more refinement to make Lost a truly well-rounded feature.
Always likable, Harrelson is his typically game self and has a lot of fun bantering with the likes of Owen Wilson and singing Cheers theme songs to confused security guards on his way around London this fateful night but the core storyline and delivery of some supposedly comedic moments like a U2 loving cop or an Arabian prince whose a big fan of Woody's never really gel together and you get a feeling that if the film had been delivered in a typical production sense jokes would've landed smoother and more time could've been given to areas that would've smoothed the boring components of the film out.
As it stands, Lost is an impressive feat in so many ways and its great to see the likes of Harrelson jump behind the camera and try for something special straight off the bat but Lost is only ever moderately entertaining as its generic and so-so story goes through the motions.
Final Say -
A must-watch for Woody fans and a nice novelty feature in conception and delivery, Lost in London is let down by mid-tier material and a mostly unengaging plot.
2 1/2 Bono phone calls out of 5
- eddie_baggins
- 28 nov 2020
- Permalink
After reading some reviews I can see there are alot of mixed feelings about Lost In London, or you like or you don't like it at all. I'm glad to say I did like it. I liked it how the story was brought, with one camera shooting, with following Woody throughout the whole movie and to watch how his bizarre journey passes by. I get that not everybody has the same sense of humor so I do get that some people didn't thought it was funny, but I thought there were enough funny dialogues and moments to keep me entertained. I also do like Woody Harrelson as an actor so that made it probably easier for me to enjoy. For his directorial debut I think he did a good job. Lost in London was to me the perfect mix of drama and comedy, with the actors playing themselves. That was a good idea and made it a bit more special than the average movie.
- deloudelouvain
- 19 lug 2018
- Permalink
Even after watching the Q and A for the film I still can't figure out why someone would have their directorial debut be the most challenging project I can imagine undertaking. Even without the single shot, live elements, the film is written and performed hilariously. I had more laugh out loud moments in the theater with this film than I can remember in recent history. After the film, the cast and crew presented a Q and A that really makes you feel like you are part of the process, which I guess we were. Willie Nelson was a surreal fantasy for both Woody and the audience. Owen Wilson was a great as usual and the self deprecating humor Woody Nelson threw in about his career as well as Wilsons, was lovingly harsh and very funny. There were some inconsistencies with the cultural and film references being post 2002 when the film supposedly takes place, but they didn't really place it in that time period until the end of the film so it wasn't distracting or obvious and didn't detract. It was fantastic as an experience and was a genuinely delightful film.
- danielle-walker-1
- 19 gen 2017
- Permalink
Woody Harrelson comes off the stage in another mediocre London West End theatre production. Over the course of the evening his marriage to his wife (Eleanor Satsuura) breaks down due to an indisctrion which makes its way to the front page of a tabloid, but after an apparent fight with friend Owen Wilson he leaves a nightclub and gets into an altercation with a taxi driver that lands him in jail.
A piece of experiemental cinema whereby the film was shot in real time and streamed to a live cinema audience in the USA and then the UK on the 19th January 2017. The idea is incredibly bold and well executed with some aspects of the film working very well, others less so. Modern technology and smaller GoPro type cameras have allowed for this type of film to be executed, but it is also well choreographed. For this alone, Harrelson should be praised.
A piece of experiemental cinema whereby the film was shot in real time and streamed to a live cinema audience in the USA and then the UK on the 19th January 2017. The idea is incredibly bold and well executed with some aspects of the film working very well, others less so. Modern technology and smaller GoPro type cameras have allowed for this type of film to be executed, but it is also well choreographed. For this alone, Harrelson should be praised.
- vampire_hounddog
- 20 ott 2020
- Permalink
I didn't know this was a "one shot" live movie. For what it is, it's well executed and deserving of praise, however, it falls short if you expect it to stand its own ground. Maybe if we were rating single take live films, this could be an 8,9 or 10.
The dialogue is painfully intense, there is hardly any space to breathe. Camera is shaky, sometimes blurry... Some of the jokes are witty but they are few and far in between. Also you cannot really laugh as you are trying to understand what the heck is going on and what everyone is talking about. The British accents don't help. Overall interesting try but dont be fooled by the positive reviews, this will eventually become a 5 start movie on IMDB
The dialogue is painfully intense, there is hardly any space to breathe. Camera is shaky, sometimes blurry... Some of the jokes are witty but they are few and far in between. Also you cannot really laugh as you are trying to understand what the heck is going on and what everyone is talking about. The British accents don't help. Overall interesting try but dont be fooled by the positive reviews, this will eventually become a 5 start movie on IMDB
- peruhealing
- 29 mag 2018
- Permalink
If you have any basic knowledge of film making, acting, lighting, sound engineering and broadcasting, after watching this film you might agree it was an incredible achievement given the limited budget and schedule and all the obstacles and circumstances in which it was put together. When judging all the elements in the film, but particularly acting, it is fair to consider the EXTREME emotional and physical endurance all the actors and crew needed in order to materialize this (crazy) project, specially Woody who also served as director and, as he later explained during the QA session at the end of the movie, couldn't stop thinking about all the details while the camera was rolling. Remember, this movie was broadcast LIVE in one camera shot with no opportunity for screwing up, with the constant threat of technical glitches in sound (150 microphones) and video streaming, bad timing of actors and scenes, falls (the cameraman was running up and down staircases and other obstacles) and even bad weather, given that in London it can rain at any time and great part of the movie was shot outdoors. If you factor all these elements in, then Woody's performance was Academy Award ( or Tony? or both? ) winner. So for this reason, I am giving this movie a solid 10. What Woody and the rest of the crew have achieved is short of impossible. The plot and dialogues were good and entertaining, not a deep and thoughtful story, just a fun and silly comedy based on Woody's mostly-true recount of an awkward night in London. If you didn't have the opportunity to watch it live and would like to watch it now, please do so with an open mind and remember, this was an experimental project with incredible odds of not going well at all, and yet somehow it did!.
- mrwhite000
- 19 gen 2017
- Permalink
If this were viewed Live, my reaction might be a little different. This is a single camera project that is nothing new to anything genre, and although the imagery flowed there were a few awkward moments with the characters. I kept expecting James Corden to pop up to do a Carpool Karaoke scene-actually, this film could have been condensed into a James Corden Carpool Karaoke video.
- PurpleCrayon2014
- 26 mag 2018
- Permalink
I'm not even going to put any spoilers in here because there is none. I can only imagine these are fake reviews or something. It's not funny at all. Its depressing. I want my two hours back.
- john-b-hale
- 26 mag 2018
- Permalink
Woody made a fantastic accomplishment with this movie. Even though we scrape the story from the surface, we are able to submerge into the protagonist life and experience some of his emotions. They way it was filmed makes you feel present in the screen, and as an expectator, a succession of events contained in this kind of chronological order can make you lose your attention. However, I believe is part of the narrative itself.
Fantastic and innovate work!
Fantastic and innovate work!
- bastiankoh
- 8 ago 2018
- Permalink
The comedy was in short supply in this movie. I wanted it to get funnier throughout the dramatic sequences. I kept watching and waiting for it to become funny again. In fact the movie was more of a tragedy that revealed a redemption in the very end.
It was exhaustive because I convinced my wife to watch it and she would have never let me forget it if I made her sit through another bad movie.
She said she liked it. Shew!
It was exhaustive because I convinced my wife to watch it and she would have never let me forget it if I made her sit through another bad movie.
She said she liked it. Shew!
- emil-wisekal
- 28 mag 2018
- Permalink
The cast were fine but I saw nothing comedic in this movie whatsoever.
Other reviewers thought it hilarious.
I'm afraid I just found Harrelson's character sad, that's how he remained throughout the movie.
Sad and somewhat pathetic.
I love Woody Harrelson. He delivered himself as he does so well, an ironic character, well meaning but selfishly damaging those around him.
Funny? Hardly.
- loxford-53999
- 22 dic 2019
- Permalink
- MovieIQTest
- 26 mag 2018
- Permalink
As much as I am a big fan of Woody Harrelson I could never watch this flick as I just can't handle any movie with Owen Wilson in it. I'm just unable to get past his bulbous-tipped, misshapen nose and if he happens to be in a movie I've unwittingly started to watch, I end up constantly staring at it, to the exclusion of everything else and am forced to either leave the theater or turn off the TV. I have the same problem with Gérard Depardieu and as well, with any films in which the late Karl Malden appears. There is for me however, an irreconcilable difference between the former schnozz and the latter two and that is while Malden and Dépardieu possess large, knobby noses they are Not bulbous-tipped and misshapen.
This is obviously not a review of Lost in London but I could never rate any Woody Harrelson film lower than 7 out of 10 anyway. Yes, not a review but it's definitely right-on-the-nose,
- cageyk-46578
- 21 mar 2019
- Permalink
Not exactly a masterpiece but it has its moments! It's more Drama than Comedy, there are some funny scenes, but it's hard to laugh. The most appealing is Willie Nelson, who only appears for a minute. The cinematography by Nigel Willoughby is very smooth and smart. The story is pretty realistic and Woody Harrelson tried his best. His two daughters in the film are the sweetest. Martin McCann and Peter
Ferdinando are also very good.
- RodrigAndrisan
- 1 ago 2018
- Permalink
I did not find it funny, I found it difficult to keep up with. It was just plain stupid. Woody has done better films than this. I am so glad I didn't have to pay for the loss of 1 hour and 44 minutes of my life.
- jlynn-52202
- 21 ago 2018
- Permalink
If you can imagine BIRDMAN done as a CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM "bearing and rending of Ego"...you've got a good understanding of what to expect from LOST IN London. Absolutely amazing, and it's really hard to believe they pulled it off in a single take...LIVE. If I hadn't stayed for the Q'n'A afterwards, I'd still have my doubts...it was that impressive of a feat.
It would be difficult to ruin the plot, as it's mostly an excuse to follow Woody through one entertaining night of fumbling...I really hope this will be available as a recorded purchase, so that I can revisit it, and have a closer look at the artistry of it. The acting is superb, the camera work is as good as anyone could do (and better than most!), and the cinematography was spot on.
The biggest possible flaw a project like this may suffer from (as with any project, even) is a flinching, uninsightful, uninspired, and semi- conscious delving into the ego of the writer/director/actor. Harrelson avoids these pitfalls, and handles it like a master. From his acting over the course of his career, there's always been a hint of brilliance beneath...but it's always tough to tell in a truly great actor where the acting ends and real person begins. He handles this roll (admittedly one with which he should be very familiar and had lots of practice) with an honesty and depth of character that shows he's been through it and come out the other side wiser for it...unless it's all an act.
Hard to tell, but a damn fine yarn, and funny as hell. I'm honored to have borne witness, and really hope to see it again, soon.
It would be difficult to ruin the plot, as it's mostly an excuse to follow Woody through one entertaining night of fumbling...I really hope this will be available as a recorded purchase, so that I can revisit it, and have a closer look at the artistry of it. The acting is superb, the camera work is as good as anyone could do (and better than most!), and the cinematography was spot on.
The biggest possible flaw a project like this may suffer from (as with any project, even) is a flinching, uninsightful, uninspired, and semi- conscious delving into the ego of the writer/director/actor. Harrelson avoids these pitfalls, and handles it like a master. From his acting over the course of his career, there's always been a hint of brilliance beneath...but it's always tough to tell in a truly great actor where the acting ends and real person begins. He handles this roll (admittedly one with which he should be very familiar and had lots of practice) with an honesty and depth of character that shows he's been through it and come out the other side wiser for it...unless it's all an act.
Hard to tell, but a damn fine yarn, and funny as hell. I'm honored to have borne witness, and really hope to see it again, soon.
Woody Harrelson replays his breakdown in London: "Too much of this is true" is the opener. It is obvious, though, that much was refined, pointed in hindsight.
The principal idea is a boasting-ego and inerudite Texas filmstar Harrelson being grounded within one night the hard way.
The principal idea of the film is showing this like a theater play: Live, real time, everything has to fit, to work, incl. The changes of set within London. The sound quality is miserable, but given these self-inflicted fetters, this film is great.
Actors: Harrelson is courageous enough to play himself down, Owen Wilson to play at all with a face that cosmetically bulldozed (well, the two are fun together). The rest of the cast knows comedy well, too. 6-7 stars.
The principal idea is a boasting-ego and inerudite Texas filmstar Harrelson being grounded within one night the hard way.
The principal idea of the film is showing this like a theater play: Live, real time, everything has to fit, to work, incl. The changes of set within London. The sound quality is miserable, but given these self-inflicted fetters, this film is great.
Actors: Harrelson is courageous enough to play himself down, Owen Wilson to play at all with a face that cosmetically bulldozed (well, the two are fun together). The rest of the cast knows comedy well, too. 6-7 stars.
- Serenus_Zeitblom
- 4 lug 2025
- Permalink
I love woody and admire the ambition but this was just so incredibly dull and boring didn't make me laugh once despite being a supposed comedy.
- muamba_eats_toast
- 27 ago 2019
- Permalink
What a great technical achievement this film was. One camera. One shot. Great sound (mostly). Fantastic theatrical performances throughout. Considering it was way past my bed time, I never once took my eyes off the screen, just watching in disbelief that this was all actually happening NOW in and about the London streets outside this cinema, in the very early hours of a cold Friday morning. There were some laugh out loud parts. Some rather black moments. And some cringe- worthy. But all good entertainment. Unless the cast hadn't pointed out a few problems in the Q&A afterwards I wouldn't have noticed them. As a live event it was spectacular. We'll just have to wait and see how it stands up as a film in its own right.
Although I didn't found it hilarious it did had some funny moments. There are some catchy and philosifical lines that on they're own already make movie worth it. The plot could be a bit more refined and concise but it was stronger than most nowdays movies that are normally built like a glass shatered pieces glued thogether.
- selmischkadowney
- 1 ago 2018
- Permalink
This film tells the story of a Hollywood star who has an eventful night in London.
It is quite a funny film, with a lot of name checking of Woody Harrelson's film titles. A single camera shot is impressive, and I can only imagine how long the actors rehearsed the whole film before they shot it. It is also quite amazing to have quite a bit of support from the London police as well. I think it is quite worth a watch.
It is quite a funny film, with a lot of name checking of Woody Harrelson's film titles. A single camera shot is impressive, and I can only imagine how long the actors rehearsed the whole film before they shot it. It is also quite amazing to have quite a bit of support from the London police as well. I think it is quite worth a watch.