All hail the queen.
Remember when Sandra Bullock finally returned to the rom-com genre for the first time since 2009's All About Steve in The Lost City, which paired her with Channing Tatum for an adventurous romp in the jungle? What a gift that was to us mere mortals.
In that film, Bullock plays dissatisfied romance novelist Loretta Sage, who is kidnapped by an eccentric billionaire convinced the setting of her books—ahem, the titular lost city—is real. Naturally, Tatum plays Alan, her series' dimwitted cover model who decides to play IRL hero to save her. You know where this is going.
Yes, it is as over-the-top and ridiculous as it sounds. And yet, thanks to the palpable chemistry between its leading couple, genuinely funny dialogue and some scene-stealing supporting performances from Daniel Radcliffe, Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Brad Pitt (ever heard of him?), The Lost City is an all-too-rare treasure in today's pop culture climate: A romantic comedy fronted by bonafide movie stars.
So it seems fitting, yet still sad, that Bullock's return to the genre she helped define over the past three decades might also serve as her last film role for quite some time. The Oscar winner revealed her plan to take a long break from acting last year to be "in the place that makes me happiest," meaning more time at home with her kids Louis, 13, and Laila, 11.
"I take my job very seriously when I'm at work," Bullock said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, calling her acting career a "24/7" commitment. "And I just want to be 24/7 with my babies and my family. That's where I'm gonna be for a while."
At least we can take comfort in knowing Bullock is going out with an over-the-top outing worthy of her rom-com queen status. And we can't think of a better way to celebrate Bullock's 59th birthday on July 26 by watching The Lost City or one of her many other beloved movies, which we ranked below. Prepare to have some feelings!
(Originally published on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 5:00 a.m. PT)