The biggest problem with this Big Bold Beautiful Journey is that it really isn't any of those things. The film feels remarkably small, takes little to no risks, and is filmed in a rather pedantic fashion that keeps it from being very cinematic. My previous experiences with Kogonada's work have gorgeous films that, while a little plodding, were incredibly to look at and reached into some deep beautiful metaphors. So it is surprising to see this feel so simplistic and cliched.
Farrell and Robbie don't find any chemistry here. There "meet cute" is anything but. It's awkward and doesn't feel real. They are the kinds of characters that speak what they are thinking instead of how humans might translate their inner thoughts into filtered conversations. So their interactions feel constructed or wooden. And the journey's they go through, revisiting formative moments in their past, all feel like text book ideas of what makes us who we are. There seems to be little to no insight into the human condition. It's like Chat GPT tried to find pathos in the stories of regular lives.
And the film most often visually falls flat. There are moments the film has its characters tell us that what we are watching is beautiful scenery but neither part feels like it really is. The rain looks like rain machines. There is even a moment when the film gives up trying to even be on sets and just puts our characters on a sound stage for no reason. None of it came together or made it that watchable.
But I think it's the films less than bold story lines that were the most disappointing. The ideas of parent issues or relationship issues just felt so 101 they didn't feel honest. It all amounts to a rather small, plain, trip and not what the title of this film promises at all.
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
Starring: Margot Robbie, Colin Farrell, Kevin Kline, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Jodie Turner Smith, Billy Magnussen, Sarah Gadon, Hamish Linklater
Director: Kogonada
Writer: Seth Reiss
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