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Goya's Ghosts [2006]


RRP: £19.99
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A Haunting Film
Review date: 2008-04-22 Rating: 8 out of 10

This is a haunting, visually-striking, absorbing film. Set in Spain just before and then during the Napoleonic War it centres on the life and work of the celebrated artist Francisco Goya. Stellan Skarsgard turns in an excellent performance in this role, far from the sort we usually se him in, but in terms of impact the main character is the fanatic Lorenzo. Javier Bardem turns in a stellar performance as a softly-spoken well-mannered man who gives the impression of having a soft human side but who is capable of the most extreme cruelty (all for a higher cause, of course): the sort of man who over dinner will calmly explain that it is perfectly in order for the Inquisition to use confessions obtained by torture as proof of guilt because God will give the innocent the strength to withstand the pain. The relationship between these two men and the woman Ines (Natalie Portman) is really what the film is all about.
It is difficult to go into details about what happens without giving away some of the intricacies and issues of the plot, which is well-crafted and catches the spirit of a turbulent time and what it did to people. This is a pity, there is much one could say. But if you want a good, thought-provoking drama well presented it's worth watching. (Though if you're after a relaxed and happy film, this isn't it.)


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Reviews


Brilliant film--why did it not get more attention?
Review date: 2008-02-10 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is a superb film about the Spanish inquisition and the impact of the French revolution on Spain. Apparently, no films have been made about this period. What I don't understand is why it didn't get more attention. I came across it in an ad in Sight and Sound. And why was Natalie Portman not nominated for an Oscar? She was absolutely brilliant. So were Javier Bardem and Stellan Skarsgard as Goya, but Portman stole the film.

Not at all about Goya.... or ghosts
Review date: 2008-01-27 Rating: 2 out of 10

Utterly boring and weak film about the spanish inquisition, with Javier Bardem with an absurd accent, Natalie Portman once again proving she is not a great actress, and Goya sidelined as something to link the disparate parts of the story. Don't be misled, watch something else instead. If you are interested in art, watch the Simon Schama Power of Art series, this is not a film about Goya or his art. I fastforwarded through the last 15 minutes, after Natalie Portman reappears as her daughter with bad but very bright white teeth. I'm actually amazed I made it that far; what a waste of time.

Iberian Horrors
Review date: 2007-12-30 Rating: 6 out of 10

Goya's etchings incur the wrath of the catholic church. Like Sakarov two centuries later he is too well-known a figure to crush, so the fanatical priest Lorenzo tortures and imprisons his muse, the unfortunate Ines. But Lorenzo himself is forced to renounce his faith under torture by the influential father of Ines and flees to France. Fifteen years later he returns with Napolean's army now a fanatical Republican who destroys the Catholic heirarchy and allows the release of the now broken Ines. But he is again threatened by the English invasion.
The turbulent background to Goya's later paintings and etchings is vividly portayed, but a film about Goya and his works it is not. The rapid flashes behind the terminal credits are tantalisingly irritating.

ridiculous, farcical period piece
Review date: 2007-10-25 Rating: 2 out of 10

I was quite surprised by the vaguely decent reviews this film got on Amazon so I was provoked to write my own.
The film is an odd outing to say the least; I was looking forward to an 'Amadeus'-esque biopic of the artist Goya's life and inspiration however, we're drawn into a frankly farcical, ficitious tale of the evil-doings of the Spanish Inquisition which, while quite interesting added absolutely nothing to the plot and drew me, as a viewer, away from what was actually of interest; Goya's life.
Why Natalie Portman chose this absurd role is beyond me; she's wrongly accused and tortured by the ruthless inquisition and in a twisty (utterly ridiculous) part of the tale bears a child by an evil cleric who's shamed by her family and the church, then disappears only to return with a wife and kids in tow.....it gets a little difficult to follow here I know, but this is the nature of the film. Years later Natalie's character is let out of the inquisition cells and hams it up as a mad ugly woman, when it's blatantly still her with grey hair, sallow skin and a stupid facial expression. She also reappears as her own daughter which is another ludicrous addition to an already overblown story.
Apart from the 'asides' being completely unbelievable, they are not even particularly entertaining and I was thoroughly disappointed from start to finish. The film is patchy and can never seem to decide what story it wants to follow, therefore ending up as scraps of everything but no substance anywhere. Redeeming features of the film (for there are a couple)are the sumptuous settings and fastidious attention to detail, so at least it is pleasant to look at. I also very much enjoyed the short scene where the process of making an etching is followed from start to finish, however it doesn't really further the plot in any way so looks as if it's been plonked in for no real reason.
I do feel like I was cheated out of 109 minutes of my life - however dramatic that may sound - and would advise anyone to watch the far superior Amadeus.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Javier Bardem
Stellan Skarsgard
Natalie Portman
Randy Quaid
Michael Lonsdale

Creators:
Natalie Portman (Primary Contributor)
Stellan Skarsgard (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Entertainment in Video
Manufacturer: Entertainment in Video
EAN: 5017239194672
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL,
Release date: 2007-09-10
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 109 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2006
Language: English (Original Language)

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