David (Colin Farrell) and Sarah (Margot Robbie) meet at a wedding. When they discover that they both got there with cars from the same rental agency, they embark on a journey suggested to them by the GPS. Coming across doors leading to various moments from their pasts, David and Sarah are forced to face the things they once buried deep while determining their future together.
Directed by Kogonada, this is not your average romance flick. While it is marketed as so, it really focuses on the individual journeys that the two main characters have to go through. You know the saying it’s important to love yourself before you can love somebody else? That couldn’t be more true here. David has always had impossible standards when it comes to finding the one while Sarah is a serial cheater who would prefer to hurt others before they can hurt her. The way in which they must make peace with integral moments of their lives was done in a truly unique way.
The cinematography featured was beautiful. Magical realism at its best, in order to properly enjoy it, you just need to go with it. From discovering a bright red door in the middle of the forest, to one filled with graffiti in a field of wild flowers, the locations just got more and more intriguing. I particularly loved the scene where David and Sarah were sitting on top of a hill, looking down on Earth.
Farrell and Robbie shine. Their chemistry wasn’t as palpable as I would have liked, but individually they did a great job. Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Kevin Kline are scene stealers as the Female Cashier and Mechanic who work at the car rental agency while Jodie Turner-Smith lends her voice the GPS system. I wouldn’t have minded more time with the former two as they were really funny.
Overall, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey boasted some ambitious ideas. Unfortunately they didn’t always stick the landing. The film’s authenticity was questioned due to a shaky script and being too self-aware of itself. At least the performances and scenery helped pull it through.
Rating: ♥️♥️♥️
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