I saw this last night. I was familiar with the story and recently read the book, so I was excited for the movie. What a disappointment. I did not fall asleep, but I wanted to.
I just don't understand why they took a story about a man so obsessed with the insane idea of finding a thriving city hidden in the Amazon that he abandoned his family and ultimately dragged his son & son's friend to their deaths- and cleaned it up into- I don't even know what. They make him look like some reluctant hero- a champion for women and natives and a visionary.
The trips didn't look nearly as gruesome as they were. I have had car camping trips that were nearly as bad. The director didn't capture the depth of Fawcett's pathological obsession or his fantastical theories or his ruthless drive.
And I am amazed at the great reviews it has gotten. Maybe if I had not read the book or known anything about Fawcett I could have seen what others saw. To me, this movie was like white chocolate- which is basically chocolate with all the chocolate taken out. Some people like the over-sweet, bland mess that is left, but it is not for me.