Review of Goya's Ghosts (2006) by Stephanie G — 13 Mar 2009

I love Goya's work. Fell in love with it when I was in Spain. And I became fascinated with his "dark" period of work, which occurred in the course of events depicted in the film. I also like Portman and Bardem. I really wanted to enjoy this film, even though I had not heard great things. Even with expectations low to neutral however, I did not enjoy this film.

Production quality felt poor. For instance, some obvious instances of badly done voiceover/sound pickups, as well as awkward cuts from Portman's body doubles. Cinematography nothing special. Music as well....it even grated a bit at moments. Costuming was fantastic, but could not save it.

Primary actors were American, Swedish, and Spanish, all playing Spanish characters, but this resulted in a strange mix of accents. The Spanish, French, and English characters, all spoke English, both with and without British accents. However, the Latin was in Latin (but not subtitled). Wasn't sure what accent Portman was going for, at least in the opening scene. All that was just handled in an odd and inconsistent way throughout. Was irritated by English pronunciations of Spanish names, like Tomas as Thomas, and Cadiz without the Spanish "th"-like "z" (though Skarsgard did almost get it -- but his weak attempt just emphasized the inconsistency.).

The story felt weak in some parts. Perhaps a lot of them. And strange: for instance, a character carrying around this baby that she certainly was not capable of caring for or feeding, yet it was the most content and quiet infant you every saw. And coincidental and/or unexplained meetings that just became a little irritating in their frequency. And there was no resolution (which can be acceptable, but only if intentionally reasoned; here it was not).

I think we missed a great opportunity to really learn more about the man and his work, and what motivated him -- we have not a clue here -- especially during this turbulent period. Skarsgard was a very uninteresting Goya. Bardem was... there. Portman not bad, though I feel like I should be able to say better of her playing 2 characters, but cannot. I wanted to like them both more. In all, I was not engaged enough to feel for the characters. The most pleasant surprise was Randy Quaid in an untypical role at the Spanish king Carlos. Great, if for one kind of odd moment, which felt a little like a bungled take that somehow made it off of the cutting room floor...which somehow didn't surprise in this movie.

Unfortunately. *Sigh*.