THE LONELIEST PLANET - MIFF 2012

When it comes to cinema, I think that I am a pretty patient guy.  I really like slowly paced films a lot, and I do not mind when very little happens in a film as long as it is about something or has some pay off at the end.

“The Loneliest Planet” is about an engaged couple, Alex and Nica, as they backpack through the wilderness in Georgia.  Joining them on their journey is a local tour guide named Dato.  Throughout their journey it is very obvious that Alex and Nica are in love and are each other’s best friends.  They constantly joke and laugh and enjoy each other’s company.  Although they are never rude, the two do not converse much with Dato, although if he has something to say about the land they will listen, rather they prefer to be together.  Then something happens that changes the tone of the trip and maybe their relationship as well.

Again, let me reiterate that I am a patient viewer, but “The Loneliest Planet” had to be one of the most frustrating cinema experiences that I have had in a long while.  Let me go through the positives of the film before I harp about the negatives because the film does have a lot of good in it.  The chemistry and performances from Gael Garcia Bernal as Alex and Hani Furstenberg as Nica are perfect and natural, I was utterly convinced that they were a couple.  This is achieved by the little moments between the two of them, things like Alex teaching Nica Spanish words, things that don’t forward the plot but tell us so much about them as a couple.  They are really amazing, so carefree and just enjoying life in a foreign country.  Another huge positive is the cinematography of the film by Inti Briones, this is a seriously beautiful film, but the Georgian landscape must also take some of the credit here too.  From the hills to the rocky mountains, to the rivers and fields, it looks like a gorgeous place.  Combined with the cinematography here and you could excuse it for being described as a travelogue.  One thing that is for certain is that no matter what your opinion of “The Loneliest Planet” may be, Georgia will come out looking fantastic.

The main problem with this film is that for a two hour film almost nothing happens in it and the lack of any kind of resolution is incredibly frustrating.  Dramatically, only two things happen in “The Loneliest Planet” and if you want to go into this film fresh, beware because I am about to talk about both.  The first thing happens about halfway through the couple’s journey when they come across some locals on a mountain.  A heated exchange between Dato and the locals occurs, and when Alex asks what is going on (due to him not understanding the language being spoken), a man pulls a rifle on the couple.  Alex’s first instinct is to hide behind his fiancé before he regains his composure and shields Nica from the gun as he should have done at the start.  It is an incredibly tense moment in the film however it is the first moment that doesn’t ring true.  When Alex darts behind Nica, it feels like acting, it is a forced action which is a shame because it is the first thing that happens in the film.  Both of them are incredibly traumatized by the event and the journey changes completely.  Suddenly there is a distance between the couple, they walk meters apart, and if Nica is going to talk to anyone it is to Dato.  Alex and Nica do not talk for ages as they are both playing and replaying the events that just passed in their minds.  You can see how ashamed Alex is by his actions, as well as how hurt Nica is too.  You can now feel the tension in the air, so this must all lead somewhere, right?

Well, the answer to that is, not really.  Suddenly, after Nica has calmed down she starts speaking to Alex again.  It is not like before but at least they are talking.  The journey continues until night and they set up for camp.  It is obvious that his cowardice from earlier is still playing on Alex’s mind while the three of them are sitting around the camp fire talking.  Alex soon excuses himself before heading to bed, a shattered man.  That leaves Dato and Nica left alone to entertain themselves.  Once the alcohol comes out, Dato begins telling a very sad and personal story about his family and before long the two share a kiss.  This has suddenly made the film more interesting again, how will this soon to be married couple deal with this?  Was it a one off because Nica felt betrayed by Alex’s actions earlier or was she just pitying a lonely man?  We cut to the next morning with our couple packing up their tent, the camera is still as we watch them in real time until……the credits start rolling.  You cannot be serious, the film cannot end there.  I was so angry with “The Loneliest Planet” because I felt betrayed.  I had given it so much of my time expecting something and felt I had got nothing.  You could feel the disappointment in the audience too, I was not the only one.

Overall, there is a lot of good in “The Loneliest Planet”, beautiful performances, stunning location photography and a great natural atmosphere, but due to the lack of almost any drama or any form of resolution, I cannot recommend the film which saddens me because I was enjoying the journey for the most part.

2.5 Stars.