Review of Lost Horizon (1937) by Jeffrey M — 09 Apr 2008

How can Pat hate Frank Capra?

This is my least favorite Frank Capra film. It is a good movie, but by no means is it great. Do you know what I blame? The runtime. This movie goes on for far too long and I got the message early on in the film. But that's kind of the problem with these kinds of spectacle films. You have these great, grandiose sets and hundreds of extras. By God, you better use them. And use them this movie does...a lot. Like a lot a lot. We see tons of Shangri-La that I was just waiting for them to escape.

But I did love the characters in this movie. Again, Capra presents people who change for the better, even if Pat claims that they are a little too sentimental even for old Hollywood. That part is great. Sure, the bad guy brother is a bit too evil and angry and I don't understand his Shangra-Laian girlfriend. Why did things happen the way they did. And why did she turn Asian when she got old. These are the questions you are forced to ask.

Since I did mention the lavish sets, I do have to compliment the scale of the film. It is a gorgeous looking set that harkens well beyond the era. The budget on this film must have been astounding. But that part of the movie was well worth it. After all, this lost city of Shangri-La had to look mythical and mythical it looked. I just wish there was a little bit more of that Lost quality to it where I had to keep guessing. (By the way, when I'm put on trial after my death for being a douchebag, that previous sentence will be used by the prosecution.).

Yeah, it's a good movie and Ronald Coleman always seems to impress me, but there's just too long of a runtime for such a short subject material. That's my two cents on the subject.