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Lost Transmissions
By Jeffrey Anderson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Mature tale of friendship, schizophrenia doesn't quite gel.
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What's the Story?
In LOST TRANSMISSIONS, receptionist Hannah (Juno Temple) attends a Los Angeles party and meets noted record producer Theo Ross (Simon Pegg) while he serenades the party on piano and coaxes her to sing. He invites her to his studio, telling her she has real talent. They record some demos, which are strong enough to land Hannah a job writing tunes for pop star Dana Lee (Alexandra Daddario). Meanwhile, after a discussion about medication, Theo decides to stop taking his own treatment for schizophrenia. As a result, he becomes increasingly unhinged and irrational. Hannah continually tries to help, despite Theo's own best efforts to sabotage it. Attempting to get him admitted to a hospital, she finds the U.S. healthcare system woefully inadequate. So she must convince her friend to return to London, where he can finally get the help he needs.
Is It Any Good?
An earnest attempt to find empathy in a horrifying situation, this indecisive drama doesn't quite emotionally connect its two main characters. The scuzzy, brownish visual palette doesn't help much, either. Lost Transmissions starts well, and the characters are, by themselves, quite interesting. Their dialogue and the performances are naturalistic and charming, and it's easy to get behind them -- for a time. The movie is also bold enough to depict a platonic male-female friendship, with no promise of romance (nor threat of violence). But the movie sags under the weight of this question: How far would Hannah really go to help Theo? Is she doing it out of friendship or a feeling of debt?
It's never quite clear, and there's a constant gap in the story as a result. Moreover, the movie's depiction of the Los Angeles music industry never feels truly genuine. It feels a little fake, a little forced, especially when Hannah lands such a huge job in such a short time. As the pop star, the usually delightful Daddario gets very little screen time and has little to do other than imitate what someone thinks a pop star might act like. Finally, characters constantly flip-flop on issues like whether or not to stop taking medication (to remain "pure") and on getting, and giving, help. Ultimately, Lost Transmissions leaves a little too much hanging in the air to feel fully satisfying.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Lost Transmissions depicts drug/substance use. What's the attitude toward prescription drugs versus other, recreational drugs?
What is schizophrenia? Why do you think it has been used as part of the story in many horror movies, thrillers, and dark comedies? How does that foster stereotypes and misunderstanding?
What is a platonic friendship? Why does it seem like such a rare thing in movies? Have you ever had a platonic friendship?
What does the movie have to say about health care? Why would health care be better in England than in the United States?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: March 20, 2020
- Cast: Juno Temple , Simon Pegg , Alexandra Daddario
- Director: Katharine O'Brien
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Gravitas Ventures
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 105 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
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