The Lost Footage Of Leah Sullivan

While by no means the first film of its kind, ever since the release of The Blair Witch Project and its enormous success, found footage films have never really left the public eye in modern times. Sure, there are some years with more or less than others, but they haven’t disappeared, so to speak. As such, the audience knows what to expect, and this film ticks off every possible item on that list.

Slowly unfolding mystery that proves ever more dangerous? Yeah, that’s here. Supernatural occurrences throughout the ages to link disparate seeming events together? Accounted for and present. The lead characters exploring the site of the murders without informing anyone, including the proper authorities, where they are going? Check. The Lost Footage Of Leah Sullivan is bereft of original ideas at every turn, which only compounds the movie’s tell, no show policy even further.

“…the cast is so good they almost make you overlook all the problematic areas…”

The most frustrating part of all of this is that the cast is so good they almost make you overlook all the problematic areas; almost. Anna Stromberg is amazing as Leah. Some of the found recordings are her goofing off or flubbing lines. Watching her switch into more “professional” interviewer mode, versus, when she laughs at herself or begins again after mispronouncing a word, is excellent. She is charming and being that natural and that composed, sometimes in the same scene, throughout makes for a relatable and empathetic protagonist.

Co-director Grinstead, as Patrick, the cop, is also quite good. The two leads share excellent chemistry, and their evolving relationship is the one plot thread that feels fresh and lively. Pilieci, despite the issues his character presents from a story standpoint, is very fun. He is enthusiastic and makes his larger than life stories a lot of fun to hear.

The Lost Footage Of Leah Sullivan is not a bad film exactly. The shot compositions and the way in which it jumps between the raw footage is perfectly fine. Plus, the cast really does elevate the material to the best of their ability. However, the movie is never scary, nor all that interesting. The opening creates a few plot holes, and the overall storyline is so boring that the audience does not care. On top of that, nothing happens for so long that it is ultimately a dull, humdrum experience.