Movie Review: A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
One-liner: While stellar, this curious, unconventional and Kaufmanesque fantasy romance drama is aloof, stilted and uneven.
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is a curious fantasy-romance-drama from director Kogonada, starring Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie. It is a difficult film to classify; while the A-list casting suggests a mainstream romantic comedy, the arthouse flair of screenwriter Seth Reiss (The Menu) suggests otherwise. At its core, the film feels like a take on a Charlie Kaufman project – attempting to enmesh surrealist fantasy with the undeniable star power of its leads.
The film immediately brings to mind Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Much like the pairing of Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, Farrell and Robbie inhabit a beautifully intricate, multi-genre world that ventures into strange territory. The high concept here involves car rental agencies and doorways that lead to the past, guided by a satellite navigation system. The mechanics aren’t overly explained; instead, the film uses the GPS voice as a story device to keep the characters moving forward on their bizarre road trip.
The characters simply accept this surreal state as their new reality, allowing the adventure to unfurl without questioning motives or possibilities. This is also the best advice for the audience: don’t question the rules; simply allow the film to wash over you. On paper, Farrell and Robbie are an unlikely match, and unfortunately, that friction is visible on screen. While their individual star quality adds charm, they lack a deep, co-lead chemistry. The dialogue doesn’t help – often written as a series of isolated statements rather than a fluid conversation, giving the proceedings a stilted rhythm.
“…but there’s no doorbell.”
However, the film’s best quality is its exploration of resolving trauma, overcoming deep-seated hurt, and restoration regarding familial disconnects. This is a story about self-love, as two people burdened by baggage learn to understand themselves through each other. There’s a deep psychological story at play here that makes for compelling viewing, though it takes a significant amount of time for the film to reveal its true intentions.
While the film takes a similar bend to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, it lacks that predecessor’s elegance and sharp writing. The supporting cast, including Kevin Kline and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, adds some spice, but the film’s quirkiness often feels like a byproduct of stilted execution rather than pure intentionality. Furthermore, the inclusion of coarse language feels like an unnecessary distraction that leaves the film tonally adrift. It’s not quite funny enough for comedy, not romantic enough for a traditional romance, and the drama – while present – doesn’t always feel earned.
There are magical moments, but these are few and far between. The concept of using doorways into the past to resolve trauma is enticing, but it should have been established earlier to anchor the narrative. Ultimately, trying to mimic the “Kaufman style” rather than defining a bold new vision causes the film to misstep. If you go in expecting an arthouse film rather than a standard romance, you may find something to enjoy in its oddity. A Big Bold Beautiful Journey is a film that improves as the time-jumps reveal more backstory, yet it remains difficult to recommend broadly due to its superficial characterisation and lack of heat between its stars.
The bottom line: Odd
