'The Lost City' is the latest project in Channing Tatum's career to capitalize on his comedic strengths.
For that is what Tatum is known to do, what he does best and what he again accomplishes in his new film, “The Lost City,” released Friday in theaters. But by no means are all these fictional men the same. His characters may not be the brightest bunch, but Tatum over the years has proved to be a rather clever comedic actor, able to lean into the archetype while imbuing each lug with sensitivity and perceptible nuance.
His latest is Alan Caprison, a hunky model known in “The Lost City” for appearing on the covers of romance novels written by jaded writer Loretta Sage . Stuck in a years-long depression after her archaeologist husband’s death, Loretta begrudgingly embarks on a book tour with her cover model, whose heartthrob novel character, Dash McMahon, is the main reason audience members bother showing up.
Jack comes along because, despite Alan’s size and fervor, he proves to be a woefully inept rescuer. He stumbles behind Jack, becoming more of a burden than a help, even locking himself out of their getaway car. But to the viewer, he is never annoying. Alan exudes a charm reminiscent of Tatum’s breakout role in the 2006 teen rom-com “She’s the Man,” in which he elevated a standard jock into an endearing, vulnerable human being.