The Netflix romance movie 'Lonely Planet' follows the journey of Owen (Liam Hemsworth) and Katherine (Laura Dern) as they travel through Morocco, an experience that is supposed to change the entirety of their lives by engrossing them in an exceptional encounter of love. However, the actual dynamics of the film create a rather uninspiring experience for the viewers, the plot being neither terrible nor superbly entertaining.
Susannah Grant, the writer-director, does manage to portray Morocco as a preferred holiday destination. The country's charm is captured through the lens as the audience is shown one picturesque scene after another, encapsulating everything from historically relevant ruins to aesthetically pleasing streets.
As for the love story of the film, it follows the standard routine of challenges leading to romantic developments. In an attempt to finish her novel, Katherine is forced to leave her room due to a dysfunctional faucet, while Owen, who is present to support fellow attendee Lily, is forced outside due to poor cell reception. This chance encounter leads to the blossoming of a friendship and ultimately, a relationship between the pair.
The film leans quite heavily on the appeal of the Hemsworth-Dern combo and the Moroccan backdrop, neglecting meaningful character development or a compelling storyline. Both Katherine and Owen seem to lack genuine depth, making the romance between them somewhat unconvincing. The supporting cast isn't given much to shine with either, painted mostly as obnoxious caricatures of stereotypical literary elites.
Despite being set up to be a life-altering experience for its characters, 'Lonely Planet' does not delve into their homes, careers, or lives pre-vacation. Even the most crucial plot point of Katherine's writer's block is left completely unexplored, with no insight whatsoever into her acclaimed books.
The movie yet fits in with the recent trend of films revolving around older women-younger men relationships, although it never truly addresses the age gap between its leads. Its real appeal lies in the rather whimsical wish fulfillment it sells its viewers - the dream of being an exciting, transformed version of themselves that explorative travel often promises, without having to face the humdrum realities of their usual lives. In this sense, 'Lonely Planet' is an idealized fantasy of an ever-lasting, unaffected vacation, ideally in the beautiful landscapes of Morocco.
