Title: The Lost Bus
MPA Rating: R
Director: Paul Greengrass
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, America Ferrera, Levi McConaughey
Runtime: 2 hrs 10 mins

What It Is: Kevin McKay (McConaughey) is a down-on-his-luck bus driver just trying to make ends meet and maybe keep his son from hating him. In that effort, he spends his days running routes all across the county, simply doing his job. When a fire begins to take hold, he becomes the closest driver to an elementary school and is tasked with picking up and evacuating the children.

With fire closing in and no ability to access dispatch, Kevin and the children’s teacher, Mary Ludwig (Ferrera), must work together to get the kids through an absolutely harrowing journey.

What We Think: Paul Greengrass has a history of making solid films that work well for a very specific demographic. Dads. He makes movies for dads. There is a talented cast here, but quite honestly, without them, I am not sure how well this would have worked. At its core, the film is fairly unremarkable. Where it really earns its keep is in the performances.

When you have an Academy Award winner and an Academy Award nominee as your central figures, you are bound to get something worthwhile. Greengrass has a knack for making real-life events and the films based on them feel grounded and immediate. Captain Phillips, Green Zone, and United 93 have already shown us this.

Our Grade: B-, This is a well-made film, even if it is not especially interesting. McConaughey and Ferrera are why you show up, and they are also why you stick around. It is an easy watch for them and by no means the best work either has done, but what you do get is enough tension to keep you hooked. Check this one out on AppleTV+

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