The Lost Bus

I don't think I was aware that The Lost Bus was driving to theatres this month. If I had been aware at one point, I completely forgot about it until I saw the trailer with The Roses at the top of the month. Don't let it pass you by, even if you wait until it premieres on Apple TV + this Friday. Let's get to it.

On November 7, 2018, Kevin McCay (Matthew McConaughey) is just a regular bus driver for the Paradise Unified School District. His family life is spent with his disabled mom, Sherry; his resentful son, Shaun, who is also sick with stomach flu (both played by actual McConaugheys Kay McCabe and Levi); the recent death of his estranged father; and a sick dog he puts to sleep that night. While some might scoff at the trauma conga line, it actually generally lines up with what Lizzie Johnson chronicled in her book, Paradise: One Town's Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire, which director Paul Greengrass & Brad Inglesby used for their screenplay.

As the Camp Fire erupts the following morning, Kevin rushes to deal with his family crises instead of to the bus depot. This makes him available to swing by Ponderosa Elementary School and help evacuate 23 stranded students (actually 22; one lucky kid's parents showed up in time). Kevin gets teacher Mary Ludwig (America Ferrera) to come aboard to help out. The mission is complicated when the fire spreads beyond everyone's expectations, forcing them to go further to the town of Chico. Kevin is naturally worried for his own family, but he has a mission to do.

Besides the trauma conga line, the build-up to Kevin literally answering the call is a long one. Before his fateful drive, he argues with his supervisor Ruby (Ashlie Atkinson) over his work ethic, argues with his ex over the state of his life, and is told by Sherry that Shaun really wants to leave. It's practically an eternity before he finally notices that gigantic smoke cloud. That long build up was the only thing that tested my patience in this 130-minute movie. That first half hour or so is pretty long, but it's still thematically appropriate.

Still, that first half-hour is quite suspenseful as we see the Camp Fire become an apocalyptic threat. Even if it takes Kevin too long to notice it, you'll feel it as Cal Fire Chief Martinez (Yul Vasquez) and his crew start fighting it. The Cal Fire crew get a substantial B-Plot, in which they contend with the environment, inadequate procedures and the incompetence that started it all; none of it is intrusive. Kevin and his charges face an ever-escalating series of complications, all of which make for perfectly intense set pieces. Mary hunting for water at a soon-to-explode campsite, an armed looter attacking the bus, and a heat-exhausted Kevin getting his second wind, easily justify a potential Editing Oscar for its three editors (including past winner William Goldberg).

Any technical nitpicks you might have become irrelevant as the drive gets underway. Besides the editors, the film also benefits from spectacular sound design, visual effects and cinematography by Pal Ulvik Rokseth. As the characters drive through blustering winds, smoke, flames and orange-tinted skies, it feels like they're driving through Hell on Earth, rather than Hollywood Magic. It makes it all the more cathartic when Kevin finally drives out of the inferno. James Newton Howard's score especially shines during that climactic drive. Whatever budget they had, it was worth it.

The characters themselves are mostly fine. The kids, save one, barely receive individuality, while Kevin's family barely appears on-screen. But the circumstances are dire enough that you'll still be invested in their safety. Kevin, Mary and Ruby are pretty likable and sympathetic, for the most part. Kevin and Mary's heroism, along with Ruby's diligence, will make you like them even more. Chief Martinez is quite engaging as he deals with the aforementioned complications. They all make a good ensemble, but I'm wondering why they left out Abbie Davis, the other teacher aboard the bus. Was it simplicity? 

What else can I say about it? I was kind of apathetic about boarding The Lost Bus; I stepped off surprisingly refreshed. I suspect it might be a hidden gem in later years, especially due to its minimal advertising. So, here's my way of telling you that one of the best thrillers and disaster movies in recent years exists. See it however you can. 

That's it for now.