Written and directed by Susannah Grant, Netflix’s Lonely Planet has all the markings of a great romance, but it fumbles with pacing and a third-act conflict that feels unnecessary in a film that’s this introspective. Still, for what it’s worth, it’s a relatively easy watch with fantastic performances from both Laura Dern and Liam Hemsworth.
Lonely Planet starts with a riveting premise that explores how differences could stop relationships from lasting. Subsequently, it dives deep into the minds of both main characters to examine what loving a job looks like and why it matters to establish a life outside of a career. It all starts when Hemsworth’s Owen accompanies his girlfriend Lily (Diana Silvers) on her writer’s retreat; there, Dern’s Katherine is trying to combat writer’s block to finish her next novel. When Owen starts feeling left out of Lily’s circle, an accidental run-in with Katherine allows them to develop an intriguing rapport that provides room for honest conversations.
Narratives that involve adultery of any kind generally aren’t my cup of tea, but what we see with Owen and Lily is a classic case of two people who’ve been trying to force something that isn’t there. He hasn’t changed on this trip, and really, neither has she, but being away from their everyday routines forces them to grapple with the fact that they aren’t a proper fit. What director Grant does best and how the actors work with these emotions is all the words they bring to life in silence. It makes it relatively easy to see both sides of the equation, even if, at times, it’s frustrating to wobble around the truth.
As the chemistry between Katherine and Owen ignites, the film explores how differences don’t force couples to clash, but it’s the choices they make in setting expectations. Lily wants someone who’s interested in literature, and even though Katherine is a writer, she doesn’t necessarily need that same mutual interest in common. It’s fitting, however, that we see the excavation of Owen’s inner chaos to note that his internal shame is essentially brought on by Lily’s inability to accept him as he is. Hemsworth has brought to life quite a few brooding characters, but something about Owen easily stands out.
Perhaps most importantly, there’s a surprising maturity to the relationship between Katherine and Owen, which is precisely what makes it so engaging. Often, films or series featuring age gaps like this tend to wrap themselves too much around the differences, but Lonely Planet simply looks at the pull between the pair. It shows us where their chemistry comes from, and the seamless conversations make it easy to root for them.
The setting in Lonely Planet also plays a crucial role in allowing the relationship to feel more believable. When it comes to fiction, there’s something enthralling about characters being far from home and exploring a new beginning that works to place transparency front and center. They don’t have to hide parts of the truth from one another because they have the option of never seeing each other again. They aren’t thinking of all the what-ifs; they merely act on their most honest emotions. Through their self-introspection, they let down their guards and give themselves a chance to exist without expectations for a while.
What doesn’t work, however, is the loss of Katherine’s manuscript and everything we get in their “breakup.” You cannot convince me that in the year of our lord 2024, a writer wouldn’t have a backup. If you’re writing something on paper, you’ll either copy it onto a document somewhere else, or you won’t be careless enough to take it out with you. It simply doesn’t add up, and it especially doesn’t work for a woman who was clearly struggling with writer’s block and had finally made a breakthrough. While most of the events in the film are incredibly organic, this bit feels like a plot point contrived solely to create drama.
Still, Lonely Planet is a mostly stunning romance that centers around what acceptance looks like and how transparency strengthens a relationship. It’s the kind of film I genuinely didn’t expect a happy ending from, but the pleasant surprise of one makes it all the more lovely.
Lonely Planet is now streaming on Netflix.
First Featured Image | Official Poster Credit: ©Netflix