The world premiere of “The Lost Bus”, the latest Apple’s original film by director Paul Greanggrass, made its debut to a strong response from the public and early speculation on Friday evening at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The captivating survival thriller dramatizes the real history of a bus driver and a teacher who guided 22 children towards security during the devastating fire of Camp 2018 in Northern California which cost the life of 85 and destroyed more than 18,000 structures.
Based on the non-fiction book by journalist Lizzie Johnson “Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive A American Wildfire”, “The Lost Bus” tells a perilous journey through the flames. Stimulated by defective electrical transmission lines and powered by strong winds, campfire burned more than 150,000 acres and almost wiped the city of Paradise on the map.
Matthew McConaughey plays the role of Kevin McKay, a downward school bus driver who rises on occasion while Fire presents himself on the community. America Ferrera plays Mary Ludwig, a teacher who refuses to leave her students behind. Together, the two lead a tense evacuation effort which becomes a race against time and an encroodent hell.
McConaughey, returning to an impressive dramatic role, offers a performance that mixes vulnerability and resolution. He found a deep connection with the material and with the Greengrass style. “There was a line that Paul found that told me,” said McConaughey. “Kevin said,” I was too late as a son and now I’m too late as a father. »»
Ferrera, fresh out of his support nominated at “Barbie” Oscars, brings warmth and grain to a character based on a real educator. She brings her signature passion and paid tribute to Mary’s reality in the public, calling her “a great honor” to portray her.
Together, the chemistry between the two main stars anchors the emotional nucleus of the film.
“This story does not only concern fire – it is courage, choice and instinct to protect,” said Greengrass during a question and answer session after screening. Known for “United 93” and “Captain Phillips”, the director looks once again in his signature documentary style realism, manufacturing a claustrophobic thriller and fast moving that rarely rises.
Greanggrass co-written the scenario with Brad Ingelsby, creator of “Mare of Easttown” by HBO. The film is strongly based on practical effects, with a real fire used everywhere as far as possible to amplify authenticity.
The director of photography Ulvik Rokseth uses portable cameras to capture chaos, while the emotional score of James Newton Howard and the immersive sound design add to tension.
The public of the festival responded with emotional intensity, in particular visible tears and audible dressings during screening.
Intense can barely describe it. I cried and I could barely breathe. It is the most visceral cinema.
The support cast includes Yul Vazquez as firefighters, Ashlie Atkinson as a local resident, Spencer Watson and Danny McCarthy as first stakeholders.
In a personal touch, the real son of McConaughey, Levi, and his mother, Kay McConaughey, appear as members of the family of his character.
The project was announced for the first time in 2022 with Jamie Lee Curtis producing for Comet Pictures and Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions also on board. Curtis revealed during the Q & R that she discovered the story of Johnson while listening to NPR. In an additional personal connection, Curtis noted that her mother, the legendary actress Janet Leigh, came out with the real father of Mary Ludwig.
Johnson, a journalist from San Francisco Chronicle who covered the fire, was a consultant on the film to ensure factual precision.
“The Lost Bus” has the goods to attract admirers to the Oscar conversation. While some criticisms see it as a potential nomine on the best film, can be considered a strong competitor in technical categories, including sound, publishing and original partition.
The performance of McConaughey and Ferrera are also impressive, but not the type that Oscar generally recognizes films like this.
Apple will release “The Lost Bus” in certain rooms of September 19, with streaming to follow on Apple TV + from October 3.
Below are some online reactions.
Clarissa Rocco: “#Thelostbus with Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera is a farce tour from start to finish. Sometimes I have the impression that you drive in hell.
Nicole Soroka | As a scene on the screen: “#Thelostbus, based on the novel by Lizzie Johnson which tells the California Camp Fire 2018, is simply devastating. With intense performances of #matthewmcconaughey and #amicaferrera, this film is a striking reminder that life can change by blinking. “
Erik Davis (@erikdavis): “Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera head a school bus full of children through a raging forest fire in the #Thelostbus of Paul Greengrass. This is the very definition of a thriller on board of your seat – RAW, painful and human. ”
Nick Van Dinther says: “Does the lost bus have each cliché of films / survival in disaster, there is? Yes. Is it an intense and impressive visual experience made of theaters? So, yes. It can start rough, but the document-Drame style of Paul Greengrass is perfectly suited to a film on nature fires.”
