October 24th 2024.
The latest rom-com to hit Netflix, Lonely Planet, has been making waves on the streaming platform, despite receiving less-than-stellar reviews. Starring heartthrob Liam Hemsworth and acclaimed actress Laura Dern, the film follows the story of reclusive writer Katherine Loewe, played by Dern, who attends a writing retreat in Morocco and meets the charming Owen Brophy, played by Hemsworth. The two embark on a passionate and life-changing romance, written by Susannah Grant, the mastermind behind Erin Brockovich.
While the movie has all the makings of a feel-good hit, critics and viewers have not been kind, giving it a disappointing 39% on Rotten Tomatoes. Many have criticized the lack of chemistry between the lead stars and the formulaic plot. However, despite the negative reviews, the film has captured the hearts of Netflix viewers and has soared to the number one spot on the streaming platform's weekly global film chart, remaining in the top 10 for a second week. It has already garnered an impressive 21.9 million views and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, it is only trailing behind Anna Kendrick's Woman of the Hour in views.
This trend of critically-panned films rising to the top on Netflix is not uncommon. Just last month, Joey King's Uglies adaptation became the number one film on the platform. For Lonely Planet, the complaints have been diverse, ranging from the lackluster relationship between the main characters to the dull script. Despite the best efforts of the lead stars, the film fails to leave a lasting impression on its audience. The Hollywood Reporter summed it up in their negative review, stating that the film is "neither dull enough to be painful nor fun enough to be engaging."
However, even though viewers may not be enjoying the film, Laura Dern is. In an interview with People, the Jurassic Park star opened up about filming intimate scenes with Liam Hemsworth, praising him as "literally the safest person I could ever talk through everything in my life with." She also mentioned that they had a lot of support and were able to have open discussions about their scenes. Dern also praised the changing landscape of the film industry, where everyone is comfortable in their voice and can set boundaries without fear of losing their job.
Hemsworth also shared his thoughts on working with Dern, calling it an "absolute privilege" to share the screen with such a talented and acclaimed actress. He reflected on her ability to draw the audience in and make every moment feel intimate and real. And while the film may not be receiving rave reviews, the chemistry between Dern and Hemsworth is undeniable.
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