Goya's Ghosts
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Movie Reviews of Goya's Ghosts
Movie Review: A painter's world brought to life...
Summary: 4 Stars
"Goya's Ghosts" (2006) is directed by Milos Forman, who also directed "Amadeus" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". This fictional movie focuses on the real life Spanish painter, Francisco Goya (Stellan Skarsgard), his muse, Ines (Natalie Portman), and an Inquisitor, Brother Lorenzo (Javier Bardem). When Ines is taken captive by the inquisition and forced to make a false confession these lives become entangled in ways they never would have guessed. During the tumultuous years of the Inquisition, and then the invasion by Napoleon's forces, these people's lives are thrown into a kind of madness when their world's are thrown upside down. The scenes in the movie are interesting in that they are often recreations of Goya's own paintings, drawings and etchings. One feels like one is experiencing something of this great painter's life, with the surroundings and people that formed the basis for his works.
The movie looks very good for a dvd with rich colours and good clarity, and with a Dolby 5.1 soundtrack that pulses to life with its orchestral track and details of sound. This Spanish/American movie, that can be heard in either English or French languages, also has subtitles in English, French and Spanish. There is also a very short behind the scenes featurette that runs about five minutes.
Movie Review: Why do we listen to critics?
Summary: 4 Stars
After watching this movie I was very suprised that it got such poor reviews. I thought it was very well done. The story itself will really get you thinking and will stay with you long after the movie is over. It's a tragic but interesting story set during the Spanish inquisition and the French Revolution, showing an innocent young woman's life completely destroyed by the chaotic political scene of the time. Though heart-breaking, the story is fascinating because it reminds you of how fragile our lives really are, and how forces beyond our control can turn life onto a completely different path.
The only thing I didn't really get and why I rated the movie at four stars, not five, was that although the title is Goya's Ghosts, Goya himself is really just an observer to the main storyline. He doesn't play an important role in the story at all, and as I watched it there came a point when I thought, why is this character even in here? It was like he was getting in the way of this really fascinating movie, and I found it annoying.
Aside from that, it is worth your while to see this movie. Next time you want a "thinking" movie Goya's Ghosts is good choice.
Movie Review: Goya's view at the society of his time
Summary: 4 Stars
In the year when there were so many movies made about famous artists: "Moliere", "Becoming Jane" (Jane Austen), "Marie Antoinette" Goya's Ghosts" is another one of those that shows artists' perspective on society of his time. Goya was a painter during 18th century when many changes were taking place. While inquisition had a stronghold in Spain, French Revolution was taking place in France. In order to prevent further explosion of Jacobian ideas, British got involved in Portugal and Spain. The fear, power strugle, monarchy, upper classes, lower classes and artistic freedoms all clash at once. As a bystander, Goya gets to experience is first hand thru people he paints and ineracts with. We see the power of art as a means to show true state of society, humanity and beauty around us. Natalie Portman gives wonderful performance as a young aristocrat girl who spends 15 years in jail of the church inquisition for refusing to eat pork. In the process, she is impregnated by one of the priests and gives birth to a girl. To find out the rest, you will have to see the movie...Movie Review: good performances
Summary: 4 Stars
Francisco Goya (Stellan Skarsgård) works on a series of paintings, one of which is of Father Lorenzo (Javier Bardem), who is captivated by his painting of Ines Bilbatua (Natalie Portman). When Ines is enquired by the Church about her religious activities and beliefs, her father Thomas contacts Goya with the hope that his connection with Lorenzo will ensure the release of his daughter. What follows is a captivating account of politics and religion during the Spanish Inquisition, that will change their lives.
Not being a fan of Forman films, I was a little skeptic about this movie.
While there certainly are some inaccuracies in the script, the movie is still very enjoyable thanks to its storyline, as well as its cast. Stellan Skarsgård, Javier Bardem and Natalie Portman give good performances, especially Portman since she handles the mother/daughter roles to perfection.
The costumes and decors are quite well done.
Recommended to anyone who enjoys historical movies.
Movie Review: History through art
Summary: 4 Stars
Forman takes a perspective of history in Goya's Ghosts that could be applied to anytime and any place. Using the characters of Inez, Lorenzo and Goya who observes them both, Forman demonstrates the cruelty and absurdity of mass hysteria, brutal war and the assumption of unrestrained power. Inez is an innocent metaphor for artistic vision and Lorenzo a portrayal of fanaticism. Watching them both is Goya, unable to rescue anyone in a world gone mad with violence in the name of right. Observing the tragedy of Inez and the blindness of Lorenzo (given a taste of his own cruel medicine over a dining table)reveals to us what would have driven Goya to paint the images of Saturn devouring his children in his later life. Important for its portrayal of these historical events, the film is not pretty to watch, or uplifting, but sobering and thought provoking. With solid performances from the principles, Natalie Portman, once again, proves her weight. Excellent production values.