By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
Pacing issues can upend any creative concept, limiting a film’s entertainment potential, and that is exactly what transpires with this movie. “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” is a dramatic romance that relies on the strength of its talented stars to carry the story, but not even Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie can move this film out of the proverbial muck. Still, there is a cuteness about it that some may find makes it worth the dragged-out trip.
Having to attend a friend’s wedding, David (Colin Farrell) rents a car from a suspicious agency that only rents out Saturns with an odd GPS (Jodie Turner-Smith). At this wedding, he encounters Sarah (Margot Robbie), who also happened to rent an identical car from the same place. It is no accident that both cars lead their drivers to reconnect the next day, starting a fantastical journey for the both of them.
There are stops along this journey in the middle of nowhere, in which doors are miraculously standing on their own. When they walk through them, they are transported back in time to relive key moments of each other’s past that helped shape who they became. As they reflect on these memories and relationships with their parents, they think about what they could have done differently, and maybe they can even alter the trajectory of their future.
When it comes to romantic films, having the right co-stars who complement each other and have believable chemistry is integral to making their characters’ budding relationship authentic. Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie are both Oscar nominated actors who have that natural charisma that makes their performances jump on the screen. Farrell provides that quick-witted Irish charm and line delivery he’s famous for that make his scenes more relaxed and easier. Robbie’s appeal is undeniable as she hits Farrell with those subtle looks of attraction that would stop anyone in their tracks. They both enhance their characters with emotional depth layered with faults that provide the friction to their potential coupling. In this way, viewers can’t help but root for them to get together in the end. Farrell will next be reapplying his Penguin prosthetics for “The Batman” sequel due in 2027, while Robbie will be starring in the latest adaptation of “Wuthering Heights,” which is slated to release next year.
While the acting is beyond reproach, the direction from Korean filmmaker Kogonada leaves a lot to be desired. He takes a unique concept and makes it feel mundane, sapping every ounce of fun from the fantasy and miring it in melodramatic sludge. As a result, the pacing grinds to a halt as he takes viewers from one uninteresting flashback of the characters’ trauma to another. Kogonada had multiple opportunities to make this a romantic comedy instead of drama, which would have lightened the mood, increased the pacing, and made for a much more entertaining spectacle. Instead, he incorporates contemplation and self-importance that tries too hard to impart profound messaging.
Known for his visual styling, Kogonada does not disappoint in this regard with solid cinematography and set design. He also accompanies the visuals with a melancholic score that tugs on the heartstrings. However, without a spark of amusement in the story, the whole thing falls flat. This creates a strong sense of disappointment, because of the incredible potential this production had for being something remarkable and memorable.
“A Big Bold Beautiful Journey” sticks to side streets and hits every red light along the way despite the gifted driving from its two stars. It is an arduous trip that induces drowsiness without proper caffeination, leading to potential whiplash for audiences nodding off from the melodramatic overload. If you’re stuck having to see this movie with your partner, then it’s best to be prepared with a pillow and blanket.
This movie earns:
