Goya's Ghosts
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Movie Reviews of Goya's Ghosts
Movie Review: One of the best films ever; not what you expect and much much better
Summary: 5 Stars
Don't be fooled by the low profile given to this film by the critics. Maybe they got stuck in expecting a linear plot about an artist. It isn't about Goya. He is the lens through which we get to see a full spectrum humanity. It is a deep observation of humanity at its ugliest and at its kindest through the eyes of an impartial observer whose kindness never gets entangled in the horrors he sees and draws. His ghosts are the player in the story.
The film is breathtaking. Torture, love, commitment, innocence and the greedy need for control shows us a world that is similar to ours. When asked to admit through torture to being the bastard son of a chimpanzee and an orangoutang one is startled with the thought that he would have been better off that way than born to humans. Only humans devote their lives to controlling others and to torturing anyone who thinks differently.
As the author of Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves I can't avoid seeing this film with the clear awareness that such desire to control is created by the ways we parent and so does kindness. The film brings to focus love, deep family connections, torture and innocence in a beautiful and complex story. It is optimistic in spite of the horrors done. Goya stays an impartial and kind observer who offers us a mirror - not a judgment. The film leaves us gasping with horror, yet in love with being human. I don't think any caring and thinking person should miss this film. Thank you Milos for another masterpiece of compassion and art.
Movie Review: Captivating tale
Summary: 5 Stars
Centered on the horrid Spanish Inquisition, this story explores the sins of those in power, committed in the name of God. An arrogant priest, Lorenzo played by the talented Javier Bardem, believes torture is the key to bringing society closer to morality. Lorenzo's artist friend, Goya, begs for the priest's help when one of his young models, Inez, is falsely accused and imprisoned for heresy. Lorenzo is not only unable to free the young girl, but impregnates her while she's confined in her cell. Inez is tortured until she confesses to a sin she is not guilty of. When Lorenzo gets put to the 'torture test' himself by the young girl's father, and fails, he must leave town. When Lorenzo returns he causes even more trouble for Inez. This is an intense drama that gives us a small glimpse into a tumultous time in history. Superb acting!
Chrissy K. McVay - Author
Movie Review: Above the heads of most American movie critics, <sigh>
Summary: 5 Stars
Another masterpiece from Milos Forman, whose other titles include Hair, Amadeus, Valmont, and others. This wonderfully written and directed movie is both, a philosophical commentary on history and social change, and a lush artisitc statement. Plenty of screen shots from this film could well be framed and displayed in a museum. The script is reminiscent of Victor Hugo's epics in scope and romanticism. Sadly, most American movie taste-makers happen to lack either the emotional or the intellectual capacity to fully appreciate Goya's Ghosts. Too busy, perhaps, dissecting and heaping praise on titles such as Bourne Ultimatum, and other mass consumption garbage that infested the screens around that time of year.
This film is stands for the very virtues of good cinema and story-telling. Do not pass it up.
Movie Review: Shazzam!
Summary: 5 Stars
I had amazingly low expectations of this film and while Portman's shuffling after Crazytown was a bit much, I love this movie. Javier Bardem's acting was stunning! This film elicited audible "aww snaps" from me about 3 or 4 times - which is pretty hard to do these days. You'll want to have a basic knowledge of the French Revolution and invasion of Spain for everything to click neatly in place, but the script does a beautiful job of weaving fact with (total) fiction. Buy this movie - it shows the full range of humanity: revenge, devotion, religious fervor, antireligious fervor, pride, injustice...this is good stuff!Movie Review: Sad Story. Good Movie.
Summary: 5 Stars
I was not surprised, but a bit sad that Javier Bardem again played the "bad guy", although he did it so well. He was my motivation to see the movie. The Inquisition was a very bad thing. Goya nailed it with his paintings. But honestly, I just wanted to look at Bardem. And no one wants to see beautiful Natalie Portman looking malnourished, dirty, mentally destroyed, lost and a victim. Even in death, Padme Amadala was beautiful. Perhaps this is the reason for such bad reviews. Two very, very beautiful people, an artist and a horrible, horrible part of history.